Eddie Howe: PSG Win Shouldn’t Alter Expectations – Psychology Must Be Right For West Ham

Eddie Howe and his toon army will be on a massive high after blasting PSG with a 4-1 bullet on Wednesday evening. 

Howe is over the moon on the result, but in his press conference, he warns his squad that psychology must be right for West Ham battle: “I woke up the next day and it was immediately a case of watching the PSG game back. I was so pleased with what the players gave. The memory of it will live for a long time but we must shift our energy to the West Ham match. We’ve got to get our psychology right for that game.

“The players will live with that feeling for a period of time but as a manager your focus moves almost immediately to the next match to help the players reach their optimal level again. We’d love to [end run of fixtures before international break with another win]. It has been a magnificent response to three tough games before the last international break.

“We had to all split and go in different directions but then we came back and looked at what we were doing, starting with the Brentford win. We’d love to finish this block of games as strong as possible.

“I hope the players can refocus our energies onto the West Ham game. If you don’t get the psychology right, the matches are hard enough, but especially away to West Ham. It’s about being present and making sure we deliver what we need to. The motivation will be there, but it’s about getting our training and our preparation right.”

Howe also gets questioned on missing players, both banned and injured:

“The injury list doesn’t look great at the minute, but we’ll want and see how Callum [Wilson] and Joe [Willock] are. Harvey is the only long-term injury. Sven [Botman] won’t make it.

“We’ve got a lot of injuries in the same area of the pitch, in attacking positions, but we’ve shown that we’ve got players ready to come in and make a difference.

“Suspensions are something we’re going to have to deal with as will many clubs with the new rules, but we have to look to minimise them as much as possible.

“Knowing Anthony he’ll be frustrated. He’ll be keen to play and show his worth as he’s been outstanding this year. The bookings have changed this year and there’s very little leeway with the new regulations.

Howe was full of praise for West Ham’s start to the season. He’s been impressed with David Moyes’ management and new signing James Ward-Prowse:

“West Ham have done very well. Last year was a really interesting season for them and a memorably campaign having won a trophy in Europe. They’d have learned a lot from having their games played all over the place – Saturday, Thursday, Sunday. They’ve got experience of that and David Moyes deserves huge credit for how he’s handled it.

“The players at West Ham have settled immediately and James Ward-Prowse has brought a real threat already with his set pieces. The players dealt with the week we went to Milan and then Sheffield United really well, and they have to do so again now after the PSG game.

“The interactions with the players are going to be important in terms of resetting the mindset. We can’t live in the past. I’ve already mentally moved on and our players need to do so to in order to prove themselves again.”

Finally, Howe believes Newcastle will keep moving forward following the takeover and he’s excited on the prospect of increasing stadium capacity at St. James Park:

“Hopefully upwards and in a really positive direction. For two years, the owners have been incredible for the club. They’ve had a plan, they’ve implemented it, they’ve brought stability and they’ve been consistent with their decisions. So full credit to those involved and the future looks bright. But there’s no guarantee in football. Money doesn’t guarantee it. Good decisions are the key.

“I knew when I took this job, my life would change. I was very proud to become Newcastle manager and I’ve never woken up without that feeling that I’m doing something very special in my life and it ‘s certainly something I’ve never taken for granted.

On expanding St James’ Park: “I would love for it to be done and I’m sure if it can, the club will do it. Again, it’s not a simple process, but we’d love to get more supporters into the stadium watching us play.”

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