Howe delighted as Newcastle reach Carabao Cup final with 4-0 aggregate Arsenal win
05/02/2025
ST JAMES' PARK, NEWCASTLE, UK
05/02/2025
ST JAMES' PARK, NEWCASTLE, UK
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00:00How we doing?
00:06You all right, Luke? You all right, Craig?
00:09Yeah.
00:11Cheers, lads.
00:13Night, George.
00:15Night, George.
00:17Night, George.
00:18Night, George.
00:19Nighty.
00:24We'll start with Damian and go to Luke.
00:27Was that as professional a performance as your team has put in?
00:32Yes, definitely.
00:33I thought it was always going to be a difficult game
00:36because there's such a gap between the ties.
00:40I think that's unique in itself.
00:42We had a long time to sit on our 2-0 lead
00:44and to think about how we were going to approach the second leg.
00:48In the end, all the thinking is redundant.
00:51We were always going to play the same way
00:53and try to execute how we want to play the game.
00:56I thought the players did that really well
00:58because we were brave, aggressive, everything that we want to be.
01:03Definitely the final message to the players
01:05really is to try and attack and be ourselves.
01:08Is the message now to the players
01:10that this counts for nothing unless you go all in?
01:14Yeah, we haven't gone there yet.
01:17Just very, very pleased to have got through this tie
01:20because that was two really tough games against a very good team.
01:24But I don't think anyone can say it was not deserved in the end.
01:27I thought we were really committed to our defensive work tonight,
01:30much better than we were in our last two league games here.
01:33Showed that we can defend to a really high level.
01:36Physically, I thought we were much better tonight
01:38than we have been in those two league games.
01:40Really, really good energy.
01:41Of course, bouncing off the crowd who were magnificent for us.
01:44So, a really good performance.
01:47You talked about nerves before the game.
01:50Did that really channel on and off the pitch
01:53into everything you talked about?
01:56Yeah, I think it's easy to talk about it,
01:59but the players are the ones that have to execute it
02:01under the pressure that they're under.
02:04I understood the questions on Tuesday about the nerves,
02:11about holding the lead.
02:13For us, we tried to approach it, as I said,
02:16as another game, as a very good opposition.
02:18But we needed to execute what we wanted to do.
02:21Now, a few tweaks and changes to what our normal structure would look like.
02:26We felt we needed more height in the team tonight.
02:28That was such a big thing with the set play threat.
02:30So, we wanted to try and find a way to get Dan, Sven and Fabi into the same team.
02:35I thought that certainly helped us in that respect.
02:37What's it like to be Newcastle United manager on a night like that
02:40when the fans are right behind you?
02:44Yeah, an amazing feeling.
02:46Very, very proud to lead the club on nights like tonight
02:51because you see the very, very best of Newcastle.
02:53The crowd, the images of the crowd, the support for the players,
02:57the love for the players.
02:59I think it's just been a great night for us.
03:01Two domestic cup finals in three years.
03:03The club had waited 20 years to get back to one.
03:06How does that sit with you at the moment?
03:08Are you all comfortable with being praised for that?
03:12No, I'm fully prepared to take that, thanks.
03:16No, I think the players always deserve the credit.
03:20This group of players for me, since I've been here,
03:23I think have been magnificent for me.
03:25Again, tonight they've gone hard for us.
03:28They've given everything physically and mentally.
03:31I'm very, very honoured to manage that group.
03:35Thanks, Nick.
03:36What's Anisha, Keith and then Natalie?
03:39Eddie, do you feel that experience from two years ago
03:42puts you in a better place going into this year's final?
03:46I think so, yeah, I think so.
03:49I think we learnt a lot from that day.
03:51I think the whole build-up to the game was long.
03:54Looking back, it was exhausting for me.
03:58I'm sure it was the same for the players,
04:00but I think from that you then learn different techniques
04:03to help keep your concentration, keep your focus,
04:09not become tired of the long build-up.
04:12So I think there's definitely things as a club we can improve,
04:15we can look at to just help the players
04:18when that day comes around we're able to perform
04:20and give our absolute best.
04:22After such a complete performance,
04:25your players will probably feel, well, there'll be a no-one.
04:28You'll be watching tomorrow's semi-final with interest.
04:32How bothered are you about who you're going to face in that final?
04:36I think fate will naturally take its course.
04:39I don't think we'll engage on the emotion of who we play.
04:43That will come in time, of course.
04:45Two elite teams, two very good sides that we've faced this season,
04:49so we know that whoever we play will be a tough opponent.
04:53But I think it's just the case at the moment
04:55of being really pleased to have won today,
04:58continued our good momentum in good form,
05:00and yes, I think we've shown that we can compete against any team in the Premier League.
05:04At our very best levels I think we're a very good team,
05:06so I think that should give us loads of confidence.
05:31Yeah, I think there's a risk to everything, Keith,
05:35in team selection and systems,
05:38and people will debate it endlessly, I understand it.
05:42But I think when you're us and you're on the inside and you're based
05:46with all the knowledge that you have, sometimes things are pretty clear.
05:50This was clear in my head as soon as the game finished, really,
05:54and we knew that we'd be missing Joe for a period of time,
05:57that we had to change something.
06:01So, yeah, we came up with the plan on Monday,
06:03and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
06:06Today I thought the lads stuck to the plan and delivered it really well.
06:13I think he'll be out for weeks, not months.
06:16I don't think it's a serious injury,
06:18but it'll be enough to make him miss the next few league games, I think.
06:28Another player who's been here for a long time,
06:31who's been through difficult stages,
06:33do you think it's clear to get that hold of him?
06:39Yeah, I think Jacob's been magnificent since I've started working with him.
06:43He's such a team player, he really lives for assists,
06:48he loves to create chances and goals for other players.
06:52Don't get me wrong, he'll love to score as well,
06:54and that'll be a special moment for him and his family.
06:56Very pleased for him.
06:57Again, another guy that does live his life,
07:01very dedicated, very disciplined,
07:03and it's great to see good people do well.
07:18I try and stay away from all that leaf, if I'm honest.
07:21Because I think the minute you take that on,
07:23that emotional pressure on, I don't think it helps,
07:26so I try and clear myself.
07:28If I hear anything of that, I'll just switch off
07:31and try and get my head round what I need to do to help the players win the game.
07:40Yeah, of course, now it's done I'm delighted
07:43and pleased that you get to keep your original booking.
07:54What's that, sorry?
07:57Today?
08:01Well, we always train on a match day,
08:03so it was training, normal routine,
08:09trying to have a little sleep if I can for an hour,
08:12which I did, I slept well, and then straight to the game.
08:23What's your approach going forward,
08:25given the success of it tonight,
08:27when previously out, conditions still keep on creeping?
08:32Yeah, we've used that system before,
08:36I'd probably say in about three or four games this season,
08:39so it's something that we will turn to if we feel it's right,
08:43and the game and the opponent is the best way to match up against them,
08:47so it's always something we look at.
08:50Believe it or not, I know people will think
08:52we use the same system every week,
08:54we don't, we change for the opposition because of how we play.
08:58I'm talking out of possession here more than in possession,
09:02so we'll continue to do that,
09:04but of course if something we really like the look of
09:07and we think it adds value, it's something we could do again, definitely.
09:10Tonight's game exists for a reason,
09:12with that sense of occasion, you said it before,
09:15it goes on the pitch, it goes on the stands,
09:18how did you get that against a full-back on Saturday
09:21when that wasn't there?
09:23Is it just impossible or not?
09:25If you're in the right side of the six in isolation,
09:27how did you get that?
09:30Yeah, I think they're in isolation to a degree,
09:32because I think you have to understand the psychology.
09:35I was really frustrated after Saturday
09:38because part of me knew that this game was on the horizon
09:41and maybe on a subconscious level
09:44some of the players were mentally saving themselves for this game,
09:49but we could still, and should,
09:51could have and still should have, in my opinion,
09:53still won the game and found a way to win
09:55despite the fact we knew we had this game coming up.
09:58So I think sometimes you're battling those feelings and thoughts
10:01and you hope that it doesn't show in your performance,
10:04but it did unfortunately for us.
10:06I think it's about just trying to learn from that
10:08and the next time you're in that situation
10:10find better ways to handle it.
10:12Certainly we're learning all the time,
10:15we're developing all the time,
10:17we're having new experiences all the time,
10:19and that's just part of our growth as a team.
10:24Congratulations, Eddie.
10:26Fabian Schalke shared you had an excellent game
10:29and he seemed to have a special role in nullifying Declan Rice.
10:32Was that part of this great blueprint that really worked?
10:37I'm not sure it's a great blueprint,
10:39but it did the job tonight.
10:41Yeah, that was Fabian's job off the ball.
10:44I have to say I thought he did it brilliantly.
10:46It's not easy for a centre-back to travel those distances.
10:53I certainly wouldn't have wanted to do it,
10:55and I played in his position.
10:57But Fabian's got real talents
11:00and one of those is that he's very aggressive
11:02and when you give him a job to do he will try to do it to the letter.
11:06I'm really pleased to see him assist a goal
11:08and a real reward really for his high-energy performance.
11:12Do you think in another life you could have been a midfielder?
11:15Without a doubt.
11:16I think Fabian could have been a lot of things.
11:18He's not your traditional centre-half by any means.
11:20He could have been a No. 6, probably could have been a No. 10.
11:23But we're grateful to have him in the position that he plays.
11:26He's very creative.
11:28He's done some special things since I've been here.
11:30Thanks, Toby.
11:31We'll go to George, Scott and then Martin.
11:33We've talked a lot about the draining of emotion in these big matches.
11:38Did you feel the numbers you had inside when you were born?
11:42Do you feel it even if you're trying not to show it?
11:45No, I think you know it's there.
11:47You know the magnitude, you know the repercussions, good and bad.
11:56I don't use it.
11:57I just have to carry on regardless
12:01and just try and help the players prepare the game as best I can,
12:05think of all the different eventualities
12:07and just be there if my players need me.
12:10That's how I do it.
12:11And then whatever happens,
12:12you face the reality of success or failure in everyone else's eyes.
12:16But I've learned to sort of live with that as I've got more experience.
12:20Wasn't that, in some ways, the most impressive thing you did today?
12:24The fact that the players didn't feel that magnitude on the pitch
12:27and so you didn't see it if you went out and worked a job?
12:31Yeah, I think it looks like that.
12:33I mean, I would credit the players with the same.
12:36We were emotional but in the right way.
12:39We weren't over the top.
12:40We weren't irrational.
12:41We were in control of everything that we were doing.
12:44I think that comes with experience.
12:45A lot of those players, and that was in part with the team selection,
12:48was to pick a team that could handle the occasion
12:50and the environment it was going into.
12:52There were some really wise heads on the pitch,
12:54really good leaders on the pitch,
12:57but a good mix with some youth and energy in there as well.
13:01So I just thought we looked a top team today.
13:05Sorry, just to clarify a bit,
13:07nobody in Newcastle know these days,
13:10it's seven years this year without a domestic trophy,
13:13that's a number, isn't it?
13:16It's a long time.
13:18But it's difficult for me to add too much to it.
13:21I think it's a long time, we'd love to end it.
13:24And we'll work as hard as we can and prepare right to try and do that.
13:29Eddie, we can probably pick out a load of individuals,
13:32but just to focus on Kieran,
13:34there's been various times in the last couple of years
13:37when it's felt like he might be leaving,
13:40and probably times when he could have left.
13:42You've always been really strong,
13:44you felt he was important for lots of different reasons.
13:47The way he was organising things,
13:49marshalling the team in that second half,
13:52is that why you were absolutely adamant you didn't want to lose Kieran?
13:56Kieran's got such brilliant attributes to his game.
14:00When he's fit and firing,
14:03there's very few that can do it better than him.
14:06His use of the ball, his composure on the ball.
14:09He is an old-fashioned talker,
14:11and there's not many of those players left.
14:13We've got a few in our squad and we're very lucky to have them,
14:16but the leadership and organisation and all the know-how he has,
14:19he's built up through his career,
14:21the big games he's played, that definitely helped us tonight.
14:24Then you had his set-play delivery and all the other little bits he does really well.
14:28I thought he performed very well.
14:30Again, he's not played regularly,
14:32so there's always a physical demand on him,
14:34but I thought he answered those questions excellently today.
14:37Last few, we'll go Martin, Dominic and Kieran to finish, please.
14:41The squad has taken time to build and then mould,
14:44so how satisfying do you see all that time and recruitment on the coach come off?
14:51Yes, I think that's an interesting thought.
14:56Of course you do, you build a squad in the long term
15:01and you're doing it to try and be successful and get results,
15:05and I think when you see a lot of players we have recruited in the team
15:08and the dynamic looks good, there's a sense of satisfaction there.
15:12But the work never stops, the journey never stops,
15:16and we're always looking to improve what we try to do,
15:20improve the players individually.
15:22So we're still in that phase very much every day, trying to make us better.
15:26How important is that energy in your team, which you can see tonight?
15:30Is this 100 per cent your team?
15:32What do you mean?
15:34In terms of every characteristic you want.
15:36Oh, I see.
15:38Yes, I think I've been here long enough to say that's my team.
15:43And I think I just want it to reflect certain qualities
15:49that I look for in a good team.
15:51I think the most important one is that we give everything to try and win,
15:55every game.
15:57For me that's the most important quality,
15:59because I think if you're showing that with the qualities that we do have
16:01and possess, we will win a lot of football matches.
16:04It's been there the majority of games this season,
16:07not every game, there's been some frustrations.
16:09We're still trying to improve those little margins
16:11and make sure that doesn't happen in the future.
16:13Thanks, Martin. Dominic?
16:15Sven Maltin was back in the side tonight after a couple of games,
16:18how positive do you make of his performance,
16:20and is he OK after doing that?
16:22Yes, I don't quite know what the problem was with Sven,
16:25why he had to be withdrawn, I think it was a knee issue,
16:28and we hope he's OK, he's such an important player.
16:31He's still coming back to his best feeling, rhythm,
16:35after a long-term injury, but we certainly respect his qualities.
16:39We felt today it was just a must we got him in the team,
16:42with his physicality, with his strength, his ball-playing ability.
16:47Very, very pleased with his performance,
16:49but of course I'd need to check the injury and check he's OK.
16:52Was it a must that Jake Sandler's knee went off
16:54after the physical play-offs?
16:56Yes, I think it was a bit of cramp, I don't think that's an injury.
16:59Thanks, Dominic. Kieran to finish.
17:01You mentioned that word a little bit earlier,
17:03I just wanted to ask you about your team,
17:05was it an issue for the team to be communicating points?
17:08Yes, I think you have to be at times, they've got no issue with that.
17:11As I said earlier, we tried to pick a team that had a lot of experience in it,
17:15a lot of those players have played in the Champions League,
17:17they've played in different leagues around the world,
17:19I think it was a really good mix between youth and experience.
17:22We felt we'd need all of those pieces of know-how that you say,
17:26times to speed the game up, times to slow the game down.
17:29I thought it was a really mature performance from a strong team.
17:33Have you felt very emotional when it comes to playing the last two?
17:36A sense of different feelings?
17:40Yes, I felt that all season, to be honest.
17:43There's never been a moment where the team has been overly emotional,
17:47I think that has positives and negatives.
17:50The positive is, of course, you're expected to do your job,
17:54you're clinical with it, that's how I want us to be.
17:58Of course, there's been times this season where we've looked...
18:03We haven't looked ourselves, we've almost looked under-emotional.
18:06So there's a balance and a sweet spot we need to get right for every game.
18:11Certainly it was perfect tonight,
18:13I thought it was a really good emotional response to a really emotional game.
18:17OK, thank you, everyone.
18:18Thank you. Thanks very much.