Eddie Howe says his Newcastle players will be suffering from a “steep” comedown from their thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool as they prepare to take on Brentford.
Fabian Schar’s 90th-minute equaliser earned the Magpies a deserved point against the Premier League leaders on Wednesday after leading twice at St James’ Park.
The result ended an eight-game win streak for the Reds, with the Toon putting in a display which should encourage them in the weeks ahead.
“Going into the Liverpool game, the players would’ve felt the high of the game – certainly as a player I felt that,” Howe said ahead of the trip to the Bees on Saturday.
“After any game, there’s always a comedown, but I think it will be a steep one after the Liverpool game.
“Our challenge this weekend is to find a way to hit the same level of intensity and mental quality we showed on Wednesday.”
Attitude is key
The Toon have won only one of their last 10 Premier League games, with Brentford coming into the game off the back of a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Thomas Frank’s men have looked a different side at home, however, winning six and drawing one of their seven at the Gtech Communit Stadium this term.
Howe wants to see his players approach the game in West London with a similar attitude to what they produced on Wednesday.
He added: “As always, it’s attitude. Attitude is everything to any team. Against Liverpool, you saw the correct attitude, the correct mental preparation from the players.
“When we entered the pitch, I’ve no doubt, in the early exchanges of the game, we were in a good place; really good energy, biting in midfield, desire to win the ball, really good in duels.
“Gradually, when you are good in those small areas, your bigger performance looks different.
“Athletically, I thought we looked really good; the running speed of our front players, the battling qualities of our midfield against a top team. Especially in the first half, I felt we won that battle.”
Important to start well
Brentford are known for scoring early goals this season and Howe knows his side will need to start the gane well to have any chance.
The Toon boss added: “Whenever you go away from home, the intention you set is key. The early exchanges give you a lot of clues to how the game is going to go. We need to start well.
“Brentford have scored a lot of early goals – we’re well aware of that. They are still a very god set-piece team as well, so we’ll have to be on our guard.”
Team news: Botman and Trippier improving but still out
Howe says injured defender Kieran Trippier is “improving”, while offering an update on centre-back Sven Botman.
He said: “He’s doing well. It’s all about rhythm for Sven now. It’s all about getting those game dynamics, the pitch geography back; things that he would normally do on autopilot, he needs to rediscover how to do.
“It’s been a big boost to have him in training. He’s a big guy, a big presence and we’ve certainly missed him.”
