‘It’s been strange’ - Eddie Howe illness impacted Newcastle United preparations

The Toon boss missed training and his pre-match media duties ahead of the 4-1 win over Manchester United. A club statement on Saturday confirmed Howe’s situation worsened and he had been admitted to hospital.

Jason Tindall took the reins in the Newcastle dugout as they brushed aside Man United with ease. Howe was able to watch the game and congratulated his side post-match - with the Magpies now in the driving seat for Champions League football.

Goal hero Barnes - who chipped in with two strikes yesterday - conceded pre-game preparations were “strange” without Howe. However, he also acknowledged how Newcastle’s well-drilled nature made the transition easier.

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“(It was a) great result today,” Barnes told NUFC TV. “I think we built on our previous good results. And we knew, even though it's been a weird and difficult week, if we approached the game right and did the job that we knew we needed to do, the result was there for us.

“It’s been a little bit strange (without having Howe around). Obviously, the gaffer has a real influence on the team during the week and, of course, on a match day. So it's been a little bit strange not having him there. But with the work we do every week, everyone knows their roles, everyone knows their responsibilities. 

“Even with him missing, we all went into the game with clear knowledge of exactly what we needed to do individually and as a team. I think that's a credit to us today that we've gone out there and performed.”

Barnes also opened up about his own game and a “love” for scoring goals. A brace against Man United came days after he bagged at Leicester City and took his tally to the season to eight.

“We're obviously a team that want to play with real intensity and sort of take the game to our opponents,” Barnes added. “I think today was a perfect example of that. We always want to be pressing and, on the ball, we sort of have that freedom from the gaffer to go and express ourselves… to create chances. 

“You see that week to week. We're always a dangerous team and we score goals. I love being out there. I'm just playing with a smile on my face at the minute and enjoying every game as it comes. 

“That’s sort of reflected in my performances. I just love scoring goals and love playing football. You can't help but enjoy it.”

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