Manchester City travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United as both teams prepare for a high‑profile match. Despite two recent league defeats, Pep Guardiola warned against judging Newcastle by their current place in the table.
Newcastle lost 3-1 away to West Ham and Brentford after leading early in both games. Those results have left them in 14th, only two points clear of the relegation zone. Still, Guardiola refused to focus on the standings and praised Ed Howe’s side, pointing to their strong European record this season.
“Top, top team. I never see the table when we analyse opponents. Top, top team. It has been one of the toughest places [to go] in the last years and they have been good games. The atmosphere… it’s a Champions League team and doing really.
“But we’re ready again for a new challenge.”
Guardiola often speaks highly of Newcastle. He has a strong record against Howe, who has not beaten him in the Premier League in 16 attempts. Howe reacted to that record with dry humour.
“2Is it not good? I didn’t know that,” Howe said sarcastically when asked about his poor record versus Guardiola. “We’ve done everything against them. We’ve done everything. Similar to the question earlier, we’ve pressed them, we’ve dropped off them, we’ve played a 5 or 4. I don’t think we’ve got anything new left to try, to be honest!
“We’ve been unlucky in a few games, I’d say but then you make your own luck and you have to give a lot of credit to Pep and his team. I think they’ve been incredibly consistent over a long period of time and that’s why they’ve been the best. So full credit to them,
“We’ll try and find a way and we’ll have a new way of playing. We never do the same thing twice. We’ll keep going until we try and find the answer.”
Howe wants a strong home crowd to lift his team and help them recover their league form. He praised the fans and said the players must respond after poor away displays.
“We know Manchester City’s qualities, but I get your point. I think we want a raucous St James’ Park. The home support this season has been incredible. I think we’ve played well at home as well. We’re looking forward to the match.
“We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing. So we’re desperately keen to try and put that right and get our Premier League form back on track.”
I think Guardiola is just trying to boost Newcastles confidence. They are far from a top, top team right now.
Is Guardiola just being polite or does he genuinely believe Newcastle is a top team? Lets see how they perform!
Guardiolas praise for Newcastle seems exaggerated. Have they really shown top form? Lets see how they fare against tougher opponents.
Maybe Guardiola is just being polite. Newcastles recent form doesnt scream top, top team to me. What do you guys think?
Is Guardiola being too complimentary or is he trying to psych out Newcastle? Mind games or genuine praise?