Eddie Howe knows exactly what’s wrong with this Newcastle United team right now, so it’s a concern that history keeps repeating itself.
Once again, Newcastle United threw a lead away. It doesn’t seem to matter what competition they play in, Howe’s side just have a tendency to make life more difficult for themselves.
Conceding yet another late goal in Newcastle’s 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League was hardly ideal preparation for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby.
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While the Newcastle United manager certainly isn’t to be absolved of criticism, continually having to watch his team capitulate in the dying embers of the game must be frustrating.
Howe spoke of the major problem his team are dealing with right now and his admission must be taken very seriously indeed.
Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United keep letting themselves down
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Howe admitted that his team keep letting themselves down.
At times, they look their own worst enemy. Perhaps many will point towards Howe’s tactics, but some of the players need to look at themselves.
The defending for Leverkusen’s second goal was really disappointing, after all.
“There’s still some moments where we, I think, shoot ourselves – to a degree – in the foot,” he said.
“That was there again today. I know it’s a frustration not just for me, but for the players and everybody.
“We’re costing ourselves at the moment.”
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Sunderland’s record of late goals means Newcastle United players must take Eddie Howe’s admission very seriously
This season, eight of the 26 goals (roughly 30%) Newcastle have conceded across all competitions have come after the 80th minute.
It’s a source of major frustration among supporters and the idea that it could happen again on Sunday at the Stadium of Light is a concern.
Sunderland, on the other hand, appear to thrive towards the end of games. Of the 19 goals they’ve scored in all competitions, six of them (around 31%) have come after the 80th minute.
Backed on by home support and much fresher than Newcastle, the conditions are there for another one on Sunday.
As such, Howe’s admission has to be taken very seriously among the squad behind the scenes at the Newcastle United training ground.
He is not just saying things for the sake of it. This is a problem, and Newcastle fans are worried about their record of conceding late goals.
Conceding after the 80th minute has already cost them nine Premier League points this season.
If that happens again on Sunday, the players are in for a lot of criticism. Howe will shoulder the blame of course but the squad shouldn’t be getting away with it.
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