Howe Aims for Newcastle to Steer Clear of Play-offs Before PSV Match

Eddie Howe expressed his desire for Newcastle to avoid a Champions League play-off as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven tonight.

The team is currently 13th in the league but can climb back into the top eight with a victory. The top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16, skipping the play-off round.

Howe noted that avoiding extra games is a significant motivation for Newcastle during this demanding season but recognized that improvement is needed. After their match with PSV, Newcastle will head to Paris to play against European champions Paris Saint-Germain in their last group stage match.

“It’s a big incentive as it means fewer games in a season where we’ve faced physical and mental challenges. Our main goal is to qualify, no matter how we achieve that,” said Howe.

“We are pushing to give our best in every match. The Marseille game still stings a bit since we had the upper hand in that match. With two games left, we need to fully commit to each game and aim for victory.”

Newcastle managed a goalless draw at Wolves over the weekend, which reflects their inconsistent performance this season. Nevertheless, Howe believes there have been positive developments in the team’s recent play.

“Since the international break in November and the game against Manchester City, I’ve noticed some improvements. Our form has been more consistent. During that break, we had a chance to train effectively, which was rare in the past months.”

“It hasn’t been flawless; a few matches have not met our expectations, but overall we’ve been better and are beginning to score again. The challenge now is to sustain this progress.”