[Getty Images]Ciaran Kelly - Newcastle United reporterFri, November 21, 2025 at 1:57 PM UTC·1 min readNewcastle United may have not been in action during the international break. But there was no time to waste for Eddie Howe.
The head coach has spent the past couple of weeks analysing games, reviewing training and trying to find answers to a curious season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn one hand, Newcastle have won six of their past nine matches, sit in sixth place in the Champions League standings and have a home Carabao Cup quarter-final to come against Fulham.
But, on the other, Howe's side are just a couple of points above the relegation zone in the Premier League, having failed to win an away game in the top flight since April.
Some "honest" words have been shared with the squad since a bruising 3-1 defeat at Brentford.
But, given the turnaround, attention has quickly turned to Saturday's visit of Manchester City since the club's internationals returned to training on Thursday.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUnderstandably so.
This is a Manchester City side in ominous form and with a formidable record against Newcastle and indeed Howe, who has never defeated the title challengers in the Premier League.
But, in some ways, it could be just the game Newcastle need to kick start their league season.
And a response is sorely needed.
"We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing," Howe said.
"We're desperately keen to try to put that right and get our Premier League form back on track."
