Eddie Howe has insisted Newcastle won’t bottle their Champions League chase.
The Geordies need a maximum of seven points to finish in the top four and claim the riches of Europe’s elite competition worth around £70million. Defeat to Arsenal last week, and Liverpool ’s six game winning streak edged Jurgen Klopp’s men to within three points, although Newcastle have a game in hand.
Howe insists his players “don’t feel daunted” by a massive nine days with a trip to Leeds, then Brighton and Leicester at home. Howe said: “I think in sport the last bit is always the most difficult thing. That is why it is important that I alleviate the pressure from the players and we have tried to do that in training this week.
“The air should be lighter, not heavier. I don’t feel we are daunted by it. They have trained and feel good and seem to be in a good headspace. We are thinking about what we can achieve, not any consequences.
“We have tried to make sure they have enjoyed themselves and have some fun and just switch off from probably the endless things they will hear. It is about football and trying to win the next few games.
"The best way to do that is to enjoy what they are going for.”
United players have been told not to think too much about where the next few games could lead, with European football already secured.
Howe said: "When you look at that as a statement, you transport yourself back to the start of the season and go 'we will guarantee European football the following season' would have been 'wow that's incredible'.
“Nothing more than Newcastle deserves but the supporters deserve that experience. That in itself would have been an incredible thing to achieve, but we have a bigger prize to try and achieve."
Asked if switching off was the best tactic in the build up, Howe added: “To a degree, yes. To try to relax the players, and not think too much. In sport, sometimes the more you think the more you damage yourselves. So play the game.
“These players have played all their lives and played because they enjoy it. So let’s strip away everything and let’s just perform well in our next game.
“The lads have been incredible every game. Committed, trained brilliantly, the spirit is really strong. We have four games to try and consolidate that effort that they have given, keep your nerve and achieve a remarkable thing.”
Howe is an admirer of Leeds caretaker Sam Allardyce, but says he wouldn’t be so “arrogant” to compare himself to Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola, as Big Sam did to take the spotlight off his players last week.
He's someone I really like and respect him,” Howe said: “I wouldn't be arrogant enough to push my name into that list."
Howe’s assistant Jason Tindall has been trending on social media, poking fun about him liking the limelight.
Howe joked: “He’s a good looking guy so when people take pictures of him he gives off a good smile. He is an energetic personality and definitely more extroverted than I am, but that’s why we work. Yet at his core he is a serious coach and he wants to help the players.
“I have heard he gets called ‘Mad Dog’ and I’ve started calling him it too! We have good fun in the coaches’ room about all of these things. I’m not on social media but I get sent a few things.”
