Newcastle 'have been putting across their intent'
Newcastle could make "a huge statement of intent" if they were to beat Aston Villa on Saturday, says former defender Steve Howey.The Magpies moved up to third in the Premier League table with a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday and hold a five-point advantage over Villa heading into the match.Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport programme, Howey said: "The form at the moment is very, very good. For me, if they get a performance, if they get a win against Aston Villa on Saturday, that is a huge statement of intent."They have been putting across their intent over the past couple of matches, certainly since the Carabao Cup final when you would have thought doing what they did, going in the history books, that there for would drop-off but there hasn't. "Granted, a couple of games they haven't played very well but they have gotten across the line. But they are playing against a Villa team who, let's be honest, are a very, very good team themselves."Watching them against PSG, they have got a threat. [Youri] Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, [Ollie] Watkins, [Marcus] Rashford, [Marco] Asensio, they have got players like that so they are a very good attacking force. It is at Villa Park, the atmosphere there is a feel-good factor, so that will be a very difficult game – certainly one to pick up points in."But if they can go there and win, you have to say Newcastle will be more than favourites to get one of those Champions League places because that is a difficult game."Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Linfield Setanta Cup hero on how win over Shelbourne set Blues on path to dominance
Linfield legend Peter Thompson believes David Healy's boys can rewrite the record books when they face Shelbourne in the Champions League in July. The former Blues striker is in a fair position to judge as he was a member of the team that overturned the applecart in 2005 when David Jeffrey's side travelled to Dublin to face Shels in the Setanta Cup Final.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Marcus Rashford issues Barcelona come-and-get-me plea in clear hint over future
Marcus Rashford has been tight-lipped on his uncertain future so far this summer but now the Manchester United star has broken his silence, hinting at a dream move to Barcelona Marcus Rashford has dropped his biggest hint yet that he wants to join Barcelona. The Manchester United star, 27, appears to have no future at Old Trafford after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim and being loaned out for the second half of last season. Rashford's brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, was seen meeting Barca sporting director Deco in Catalunya last month. The England international joined Aston Villa on loan in January but the Premier League club look to have seemingly decided against exercising their option to sign him for £40million. That's the fee which United are continuing to hold out for and if no buyer is found, he'll return to United for pre-season training and their subsequent tour of the United States. But if Barcelona can work out a deal, Rashford has already given them the green light. Speaking while on holiday in Marbella, Rashford was asked by Spanish YouTube channel XBuyer whether he wants to play with Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the future. "Yeah, sure. Everybody in the world wants to play with the best," the forward replied. "So hopefully, we'll see..." Continuing to praise Yamal, Rashford said: (Yamal) is gonna be… it's difficult to put into words what he's doing because he's not supposed to be doing it at 16, 17. He's playing at the highest level, I don't think we've seen it. To have his mentality is a skill. "He's not normal to be doing what he does and he will keep improving. (The Ballon d'Or) If you look at it in football ability he has to win, but then you look at Ousmane Dembele, the Champions League." The 27-year-old then sent a message to Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, suggesting that he can be Robert Lewandowski's long-term successor up front. "For me as I've got older, the No.9 position is becoming more comfortable, more natural," Rashford added. Would Marcus Rashford be a success at Barcelona? Give us your prediction in the comments section. Barca fans will also be take note of his comments about life in Spain. "Spain is nice, it's not too far from home," he continued. "If I'm training over a long period, my family can come for a few days, it's a nice location and good weather." Rashford also revealed how he looked up to former Barcelona forward Thierry Henry during his childhood. He explained: "Henry was comfortable playing off the left and in the middle, he's free flowing. When I was young I always enjoyed watching clips of him." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Gareth Southgate REJECTED for Poland job as chief reveals reason why
Former England manager Gareth Southgate has been turned away in his bid to return to international football management – with Poland rejecting his offer to become their new head coach. Southgate led the Three Lions to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his eight years at the helm, stepping down last summer after Euro 2024 final heartbreak against Spain. The 54-year-old insisted last year he was in 'no rush' to return to management but Polish daily newspaper Przeglad Sportowy this week claimed Southgate submitted an application to take the reins at Poland. In an interview with the same publication, the president of the Polish Football Association, Cezary Kulesza, has confirmed the former defender was interested in the role. But with 'no guarantee of success' in employing a foreign coach, Southgate's application was rejected. 'We have received an offer to hire him, but we must remember one basic thing: no foreign coach will give us a guarantee that we will qualify for the World Cup,' Kulesza said. 'If he gave us such a guarantee, I would hire him immediately.' Kulesza pointed to the example of Fernando Santos' recent reign in charge as Poland boss to support his reasoning for not considering Southgate. Santos managed his home country Portugal for eight years following a stellar career at club level across Europe. But his disastrous spell in charge of Poland lasted less than 10 months, criticised for poor performances and not attending Polish league matches. 'Fernando Santos is a perfect example,' Kulesza said. 'A successful coach, a big name, everyone applauded, and the verification was surprising and painful for all of us.' Poland are instead hoping to appoint Maciej Skorża. The experienced coach is in charge of Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds who are currently competing in the Club World Cup in the United States. Poland are looking for a new head coach after the sudden resignation of Michal Probierz last week. His decision came after Robert Lewandowski, the country's record goalscorer, said he would not play for his country while Probierz is in charge. More Trending Southgate meanwhile was briefly linked with the Manchester United job last year but indicated last October he would take at least a year out of the game. 'I won't coach in the next year for sure, I'm certain of that,' Southgate said in October. 'I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time. 'I'm enjoying my life, so there's no rush. I'm fortunate that there are lots of opportunities presenting themselves.' MORE: Premier League club favourites to sign Jack Grealish as Manchester City set asking price MORE: England and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard backed for Premier League job MORE: Kyle Walker agrees to join Premier League club ahead of Manchester City exit
