Howe praises Newcastle owners for coming into dressing room after defeat

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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has praised the club’s owners after they came into the dressing room following the shock FA Cup defeat.

St James’ Park was a sell-out as League One outfit Cambridge United came to town, and Howe gave new signing Kieran Trippier his debut.

But the former Bournemouth manager’s side produced an abject display which was punished by the lower league side.

Eager to earn a win to build confidence, Howe resisted the temptation to play some of the club’s talented youngsters and instead fielded a strong team.

But the Magpies struggled to get going and a Joe Ironside goal in the 56th minute proved enough for the visitors to pull off a shock win.

Although FA Cup progression wasn’t the club’s priority, losing against a lower league side is going to do little to build confidence in a side that has won just one game all season.

However, with another full week of training and potentially more signings ahead, Newcastle’s attentions now switch to the crucial relegation six-pointer against Watford on Saturday.

Despite suffering a disappointing defeat against Cambridge, Newcastle’s Saudi-led consortium showed their support to Howe and the players by going into the changing room after yesterday’s defeat.

According to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, Howe said: “They popped in. They were very supportive. I can’t thank them enough for that.

“This has to be a united effort, and that showed we are in this together.”

The supportive gesture from PIF isn’t something that former owner Mike Ashley would have considered.

A defeat under the stewardship of Ashley in yesterday’s manner would have brought a chorus of boos around St James’ Park, but as Howe said this is a ‘united’ effort and Newcastle’s owners actions show we are all in this together.

A win against Watford will mean that the pain of yesterday’s defeat is quickly forgotten.

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