Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe admits his side faces a significant psychological challenge at Chelsea as they balance a crucial Premier League fixture with upcoming blockbuster clashes against Barcelona and Sunderland.
Eddie Howe has urged his Newcastle United players to ignore the “human nature” of looking ahead to a season-defining week.
The Magpies travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday sitting 12th, knowing they must bridge a four-point gap to the European spots.
Despite a looming Champions League second leg in Barcelona and a massive Tyne-Wear derby, Howe insisted, “I’ll be telling them that we have to perform in this game.”
The Tyneside club is fighting to end a dismal record at Chelsea, having won just once in their last 30 league visits to west London.
While Champions League football has impacted their domestic consistency, Howe remains determined to secure a European place of any stature for next season.
“European football of any stature—I said the same last year—is something that we’re working towards,” Howe stated ahead of the teatime kickoff.