Eddie Howe has warned his players that they are playing for their futures after the squad witnessed a different side to the Newcastle United head coach in the aftermath of Sunday's mauling at Spurs. It is easy to forget that Newcastle actually took the lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after a steady enough start in the capital, but Ben Davies equalised for Spurs just a few minutes after Fabian Schar's opener.
Although it was a bad time to concede, right before half-time, no one could have foreseen what happened in the second half. Even in recent defeats at Chelsea and Everton, Newcastle were solid and disciplined off the ball, but the game quickly got away from the Magpies on Sunday as the visitors conceded four goals in the space of just 35 minutes after the break.
While these same players were part of the side who went nine games unbeaten in the Premier League not so long ago, the 5-1 defeat was a reminder that Newcastle are not only still in a relegation battle but, also, that Howe's side have a lot of work to do to one day close the gap on sides like Spurs.
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Howe brought in five new players last January - Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett - and the Newcastle head coach will make further signings in the summer. Although no first-team player has left the club on a permanent basis under Howe just yet, that will certainly change in the coming months.
"I think everyone's always playing for their future," Howe told reporters. "Every day in training, I'm making assessments and judgements on character, on attitude, and that's where you really see what the players are like behind the scenes day to day.
"My expectations on the training ground are very high. I want everyone to give their best in every moment so some players can find that a challenge, but that's what you need for long-term success so every day I'm analysing and making decisions about people's futures based on what I see."
Howe was keen that it was him, alone, who personally addressed the players immediately after the 5-1 defeat to ensure his message got through. It was only when the Newcastle boss left the dressing room to conduct his post-match media duties that the players were encouraged to speak among themselves.
Howe did not feel that his side dropped their levels on Sunday but, rather, that they were 'far too cavalier' in how they chased the game' and got their 'organisation wrong'. It is not an exaggeration to say that the players have seen a different side to him in the days since.
"We spoke in the dressing room afterwards." he said. "I think you have to speak frankly and honestly in certain moments, but I'm not one to necessarily talk too long after a game because emotions are very high and, from my position, you can make mistakes in that moment.
"But, certainly, this week, without going into too much detail, I've maybe changed the way I've dealt with the players or certain situations because I didn't like what I saw in the second half and no one connected with the club liked what they saw in the second half.
"It's all a learning process. We have to analyse - I'm a big analyser - and find out why and then try and put it right."
Howe addressed his players at the training ground this week as Newcastle look to bounce back from three straight defeats when the Magpies return to St James' Park to host Wolves. Changes are on the cards on Friday night and not just because of injuries and illness in the camp.
Joe Willock may be a doubt for this game with a slight knee injury but even if the midfielder is fit to start, perhaps, it would be a surprise if Bruno Guimaraes did not come into the starting line-up. Bruno has yet to start a game at St James' since his big-money move from Lyon last January, but the Brazil international has already shown Howe what he is capable of from the bench.
"Bruno, in the little cameos that he's given at home, has given a glimpse of what he's capable of," he added. "Certainly, the supporters have taken to that when they've seen little bits that he's done and I think he's done very well in the short time that he's had on the pitch at home. He's been excellent.
"He's someone that I've really enjoyed working with. He's very much a winner. He's got a great attitude to his training and the way he conducts himself so with his flamboyance and technique comes a steeliness, which is hugely important in the position that he plays on the pitch. Let's see what happens."
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