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Eddie Howe believes our performance in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Fulham was the “worst we’ve played”, feeling we conceded awful goals, were “too reactive” and were “not good enough” defensively.
The boss also accepts that he made a mistake in rushing Joe Willock back into his starting XI after a recent thigh injury, admitting that move backfired and was his fault, but was made to “reward him” for his positive cameo at Wolves.
2-0 flattered us in the first half and all three goals we conceded were poor, whether it be stand-off defending for the first, Nick Pope’s weak hand for the second or Bruno Guimaraes’ awful giveaway in his own box.
Speaking to the media about the performance after the game, Howe said: “Today was the worst we’ve played, especially in the first half. In the other games it’s not been perfect but there’s been solidity but today, defensively, we were not good enough and we’re going to work to put it right.
“First half we were too reactive, Fulham played well but we conceded a poor first goal. It’s difficult to go away from home when you give them help and that first half was tough.”
Howe then took some of the blame for his team selection, feeling he may have made the wrong call with Willock.
“Joe did so well against Wolves and I felt it was right to reward him with a start, but then you see the game and I question whether that was the right decision from myself so I’ll take responsibility for that.”
“Joe is just back from injury and done very well to come back, he’s such a big player for us and I was keen to see him play but it was a tough one for him and the team. It’s not something I want to be doing but I felt we needed to do it for the game and our performance.”
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/09/22/howes-brutal-admission-after-fulham-defeat-and-takes-blame-for-one-mistake/
Author : Olly Hawkins
Publish date : 2024-09-22 07:21:08
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