Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is keeping a measured approach despite the disappointment of losing the Wear-Tyne derby to Sunderland.
Speaking before Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at Fulham, Howe emphasised the importance of maintaining a constructive environment at the club. He insists that managing emotions carefully is central to protect relationships and foster the right culture on and off the pitch.
“Part of my job is to remain very level because I think if you don’t and you join the emotional rollercoaster that football brings, you create damage to relationships, which is hugely important,” Howe said, “and that’s all through the football club.
“The leader has to be very mindful of that and has to be very constructive in his feedback and criticism, which of course, I will endeavour to do. We have to be very honest with the players and they have to be very honest with us.
“We have to find a way forward and find a way to get consistent results, which is what we’re still searching for this season.”
Howe conceded that inconsistency has been challenging but stressed that his expectations of players remain simple: to give their all on the pitch.
“It’s a horrible feeling because when you enter a game, you want your players to go on to the pitch and give absolutely everything they have within their soul and their body to get a positive result,” he said.
“That’s the only thing I ever ask a player to do. Then I back their abilities once they go on to the pitch with that mindset to deliver a really good performance.
“I think we have lost a little bit of that, and it’s up to us to try and find a way to get that glue back.”
