Eddie Howe has called for increased matchday security around managers and players in order to prevent a potential “tragedy”.
Newcastle’s manager was briefly confronted by a technical area invading spectator during his team’s 2-2 draw at Leeds last Saturday and the man has since been banned from Elland Road for life and charged with assault.
“The concern for me is the future,” said Howe, who has discussed his experience with Richard Bevan, the League Managers’ Association chief executive. “That incident has gone, it’s done as far as I’m concerned, but the only part of that incident that’s left is the ‘What ifs?’ for the future.
“I just hope that that incident itself can then help the authorities and whoever is concerned with the security and safety of the players and staff; that if it does make a little change or [encourage] someone to think how we can improve things, then it will have been a really worthwhile episode. I’d hate to see a tragedy on a football pitch that could have been avoided.”
If Howe appears shaken by Saturday’s events he does not feel “hunted” by Liverpool as they, Newcastle and Manchester United compete for the remaining two Champions League places behind Manchester City and Arsenal. Given Newcastle remain a point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand on Jürgen Klopp’s side, victory against Brighton at St James’ Park on Thursday night would represent a significant step towards securing a top-four finish.
“I don’t feel like we’re being hunted,” said Howe whose team subsequently face Leicester at home on Monday night before finishing the season at Chelsea. “I don’t feel that emotion. It’s us against ourselves, really. That’s how I see it. It’s us trying to be the best we can be.
“I’ve not focused on any other team all season. I knew Liverpool were never far away because they are a top team and they are capable of going on runs of wins. They are very similar to Manchester City where they can win a group of games without blinking. They have got that experience. We can’t look at it or compare ourselves to Liverpool. We just have to look at us.”
