We are not deluded – Eddie Howe | OneFootball

Eddie Howe and Newcastle United move towards February still fighting on three fronts.

Eight wins in a row have taken United to one point off the top four in the Premier League, 90 minutes from Wembley in the League Cup, plus now into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Eddie Howe very pleased with how his players dealt with going behind early in Sunday’s match to Bromley.

Lewis Miley with a swift equaliser and then from that point Newcastle United controlling the game, adding the two goals to win the tie in the second-half.

However, the NUFC boss keen to make clear: “We are not deluded, we know we can do a lot better…”, as whilst he was pleased with the attitude shown by the team to fight back and win, Eddie Howe acknowledges that far better is needed in the weeks and months ahead if United are to taste real success.

Eddie Howe reflecting on Newcastle’s win over Bromley:

“It’s a moment you never like, if going behind [in a match].

“You prepare for a lot of eventualities in your mind before the game, respect every opponent.

“It can happen. It did happen.

“It was important that we responded, as the longer it goes on, the more anxiety can creep in.

“What a brilliant finish from Lewis Miley and from that moment we settled into the game.

“Lewis played very well.

“He brings loads of composure and quality on the ball.

“We wanted to get through, win the game.

“The players’ attitude has to be right, as if the attitude is not right, then you won’t get through.

“We always pride ourselves on that and I thought the lads responded really well.

“It wasn’t a perfect performance from us.

“We are not deluded, we know we can do a lot better, but we showed the mental qualities needed and we had enough quality to get through.”

Eddie Howe on William Osula, who scored his first ever Newcastle United goal, a superb solo effort:

“He has been waiting for that moment.

“He has been training hard.

“He has huge potential and quality.

“It was a big moment for Will.

“Any striker wants to score when they go to a new club.

“They want to score early, just to settle them down, he has been waiting and waiting, needing that goal really.

“I feel a little bit for him, because in the two games that he’s started here, Wimbledon and Bromley, he has played against a back five and had minimal space, with a congested backline.

“We have a lot of the ball but we are working in limited space areas, that is not really Will’s best asset.

“His best asset, as you saw from the goal, is his pace and he can score.

“We have seen that regularly in training, he can score, he’s a good finisher.

“I think you have to be patient with all the players, because everyone develops at different rates, so long as I see the right attitude and the right commitment to the process, I will back a player and I will wait until the time is ready for them to step into the team.

“We always, me and the players and coaches, we go on a journey, respective journeys, with players.

“It is never a straight line, there are always ups and downs along the way.”

Eddie Howe on his two half-time substitutions:

“Anthony Gordon [coming on] was forced, after Harvey Barnes felt something in his quad.

“The plan was always to play Joe [Joelinton] and Bruno for 45 minutes each.”

Eddie Howe on Martin Dubravka:

“There is no fresh update with Martin but I don’t expect there to be one.

“Touch wood, I hope Martin will stay.

“I don’t think that will change.

“We have had discussions about his future but I think we are very relaxed.

“As I said previously, he has never said that he wants to leave.

“I think he is enjoying playing and enjoying the moment that the team is in.

“So, I don’t expect any major announcement.

“We hope everything will die down and he will be very much part of our future.”

Eddie Howe on the players who were missing from Sunday’s matchday squad:

“Joe Willock just felt something in training [on Saturday], a muscular problem, I don’t think it’s serious but it was enough for us not to take the risk with him [against Bromley].

“It is similar with Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy.”

Newcastle 3 Bromley 1 – Sunday 12 January 2025 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Miley 16, Gordon 49 pen, Osula 61

Bromley:

Congreve 8

Possession was Newcastle 81% (86%) Bromley 19% (14%)

Total shots were Newcastle 18 (9) Bromley 3 (3)

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 (1) Bromley 1 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 7 (4) Bromley 1 (1)

Touches in the box Newcastle 41 (21) Bromley 5 (2)

Newcastle team v Bromley:

Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Kelly, Targett (Hall 69), Longstaff, Miley, Joelinton (Bruno 46), Barnes (Gordon 46), Almiron (Tonali 84), Osula (Sanusi 69)

Unused subs:

Vlachodimos, Livramento, Burn, Alex Murphy

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports