More buoying still is the fact that Howe doesn't shy away from defeats - analysing them, talking about them, learning from them. Every team has an off day and I'm confident that's all this was. Better it happens on this weekend just gone than in the semi final we hope to put to bed in a couple of weeks.

Eddie Howe has criticised his Newcastle players after they were thumped 4-1 by Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday. The hosts went into the game hoping to continue their stunning form but found themselves behind after just six minutes,