Eddie Howe Praises Nick Pope, Hopes for More from Newcastle Academy

Eddie Howe, the current manager of Newcastle, has commended the remarkable performances of Nick Pope, Lewis Miley, and Jamal Lascelles for their valuable contributions in maintaining the team’s progress despite numerous injuries. The Magpies have faced a significant number of absences, including Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy, and Dan Burn.

Nick Pope, the goalkeeper, has displayed outstanding skills throughout this season and is aspiring to secure a position in England’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2024. Howe praised Pope’s exceptional goalkeeping skills, highlighting his ability to make crucial saves and make them appear effortless. He acknowledged that while there is a trend towards goalkeepers being proficient in playing from the back, Pope’s greatest asset lies in his shot-stopping abilities. Howe emphasized the significance of a goalkeeper’s primary responsibility, which is to prevent goals, and he commended Pope for excelling in this aspect. According to Howe, every goalkeeper should prioritize this fundamental skill. Newcastle has faced challenges with injuries, which has led them to rely on their squad depth. However, they have witnessed some encouraging performances from their young players. One notable example is Lewis Miley, a 17-year-old who recently made his debut start in the Premier League against Chelsea, where they won 4-1. Miley’s impressive performance earned him another start against PSG. Howe, the coach, praised Miley’s calmness, highlighting his consistent and relaxed demeanor. Miley approached both games with a professional attitude and excelled in his responsibilities. Miley has brought a sense of youthfulness to the team, and on top of that, Jamal Lascelles has contributed his valuable experience. The team had to rely on the 30-year-old due to Botman’s injury, and Lascelles has truly impressed with his performances. Howe spoke highly of him, acknowledging his excellent contribution last year behind the scenes, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. Now, given the opportunity to play, Lascelles has risen to the occasion and consistently delivered impressive performances. Howe stressed the significance of maintaining an equilibrium between youthful vigor and seasoned expertise in the team. He holds the belief that Newcastle presently possesses a well-rounded combination. Notwithstanding the injury circumstances, Howe praised the players for rising to the occasion and giving their utmost effort.

The game between Newcastle United and Manchester United will be broadcasted on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, commencing at 19:00 UK time on Saturday, December 2.