Eddie Howe has lamented his injury-hit Newcastle United side for suffering another disappointing defeat six days before they face Liverpool.The festive period has been difficult for the team who finished fourth last season. They were knocked out of both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup with just two wins in eight matches.
They suffered defeat at newly-promoted Luton Town on Saturday and Boxing Day was not a celebration for the Magpies. After leading 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, they lost 3-1. The most disconcerting thing about the result is that all three of the away team’s goals were scored by former striker Chris Wood.At full-time, Howe met with the media and admitted his team didn’t do enough on Tuesday. “We weren’t very good today, otherwise we could have written,” he said. “Our first half was very good, the second half was difficult and we didn’t play very well.
“We were probably closer to 2-0. But we were caught and scored.“Forests have always been in play. They had speed and endurance. “We pride ourselves on being better at defending against those situations, and for whatever reason, that didn’t happen today.”After two games on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp’s United find themselves 13 points clear of their next opponents at the halfway point of the season. Liverpool have struggled with fitness but those around St James’ Park explain that their extensive list of absences has hampered their efforts to remain among Europe’s elite.
Summer signing Sandro Tonali is ruled out until next season after being banned for gambling, while starting goalkeeper Nick Pope and winger Jacob Murphy are both out with dislocated shoulders. The season ended with . Harvey Barnes (ankle), Joe Willock (calf) and Elliot Anderson (back) are all out until the end of January after the New Year’s Day clash at Anfield, while Jamal Lascelles (uncertain), Javier Manquillo (hip) and Matt Targett (hip) Thigh) is tested. The return date has not yet been confirmed.
Joelinton is scheduled to appear as a substitute in this match against Forest. A yellow card would have kept him out of Liverpool. And his manager could find some comfort in the extended break between games this week.”We’re looking at what happened today and we’re always looking to improve,” Howe added. “Hopefully now we can get some training time [for Liverpool].
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