EFL Cup — Newcastle vs. Chelsea - Eddie Howe: Pre-Match Press Conference
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Golden nuggets from Howe before Newcastle host the Blues after losing to them on Sunday!
Newcastle United and Chelsea clash again just three days after their Premier League meeting, this time with a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on the line at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's will be looking to reverse their fortunes after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to the Blues and end a five-game winless run in domestic competitions.
If there is anything the Magpies can get remotely close to winning, that's the mediocre EFLP Cup. But a chip is a chip and if it is the one ending The Drought, so be it. In other words, Howe is playing to keep his position and for a successful season on Wednesday, folks.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, arrive knowing they can deal with Newcastle easily when both teams use their strongest XI, but that's not expected at least from the Blues side of things on Wednesday. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson are cool, but we'll see if they are fielded against the Magpies in the Losers Cup or if they rather bench them.
Having swept League Two Barrow aside in the previous round, the Blues will likely rotate again, with players like Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall set to return—no joke on their own, anyway.
Newcastle, meanwhile, face a host of injuries. Anthony Gordon is doubtful with his recent groin injury while both Callum Wilson (confirmed out) and Alexander Isak (maybe out if NUFC rotates for a minute) absences could open the door to minor-league-forward Will Osula at the nine and veteran Jacob Murphy on the wing.
Fingers crossed, fellas. Season—season—on the line at SJP today.
Here are some of Howe's Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On Gordon's fitness...
"He has been for a scan. We are hopeful the injury isn't serious. Let's see how he is today.
"It was in training on Friday - nothing serious, sometimes you get these things from time to time. There is a chance he could make Wednesday, but we have to make the right decision."
On the quick turnaround following Sunday's game...
"Always with these spells of games, you want more to come. There is frustration from Sunday on what could have been. That frustration we need to turn into positive energy. We are at home and want to make it a real occasion if we can."
On the importance of the Carabao Cup...
"It has been an important competition for us since we have been here and that has not changed. We will pick a team to win the game.
"Chelsea are a difficult opponent, I am sure they will make changes, but with those changes they will still be a very strong team. We are desperate to progress."
On Lewis Miley, who recently returned from injury, and his prospects of making a first appearance of the season...
"He does (come into my thoughts), albeit we have to be really careful with Lewis. We need to manage him right.
"He trained well - no problem with his training performances. He was probably involved on the bench against Brighton ahead of time.
"I will be taking guidance by the experts to make sure we don't push him too early."
On opponents Chelsea...
"This is one game where they could make wholesale changes or one or two changes - we don't know what they will do.
"We need to plan for what we will do. We know there are certain aspects of our performance that we need to get right to win, and that will be our focus."
Howay!
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30th
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST / 15:45 EST
- Location: St James' Park, Newcastle (England)
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