Howe on 'close' Man City games, Osula confidence and avoiding 'bleak' season
· Yahoo Sports
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup fifth round tie against Manchester City at St James' Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
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- Howe confirmed striker Nick Woltemade has been suffering with illness but should be fit again for the weekend and midfielder Lewis Miley "isn't too far away" but not ready for the next couple of games. He also provided an update on defender Tino Livramento, who is "getting there" but not yet training with the team.
- Despite the contrast in recent defeat by Everton and win over Manchester United, the Newcastle boss insisted the post-match process of reviewing games for improvement "never stops", but it is just the "emotions that are different".
- On what he can take away from their recent games against Manchester City to prepare for Saturday: "The games have all been close. Games we've won have been close, games lost have generally been close. We have had chances, but not been clinical enough to win those games. We need to be watertight. They are difficult to pin down in all moments. We want it to be a proper English cup tie that is end-to-end. That will suit us. Getting the crowd involved will suit us."
- Will Osula, who scored the winner midweek, has "a lot of areas to focus on and hone to continue his development" but he "has worked incredibly hard" and is getting his confidence back now after his long-term ankle injury.
- On Yoane Wissa and where different forwards are in the selection pecking order: "Every player is different. Yoane has had a tough introduction to this season and I think he is getting back to his best fitness levels. He is doing a lot of work behind the scenes and his attitude has been first class. There is no pecking order."
- On finding balance with the season that could be their best yet with the competitions they are still in, but also bleak if they exit them: "Not sure on the word bleak, but that is the world we live in with the highs and lows. Positive and negative. I can't look at things that way. We've got a cup tie with City which is a great game. One of the standout ties. We have to be positive from the Manchester United game, let's use that to attack this game and get into the next round."
- With a home tie, Howe said they have a "duty to set the tone" for the supporters, to have a positive outlook and attack in the "right way" so they get the backing they need from the St James' Park crowd.
How to follow the FA Cup fifth round on the BBC
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[BBC]