Eddie Howe didn't mince his words after watching his Newcastle side crumble to a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage, delivering a verdict that will sting the Magpies faithful.
A Performance That 'Wasn't Us'
The Newcastle manager looked visibly shaken as he dissected what he described as a complete departure from his team's identity. "That wasn't us," Howe stated bluntly. "That wasn't Newcastle. We were off in every conceivable aspect of our game."
Howe's frustration was palpable as he highlighted the comprehensive nature of the defeat. "Our intensity levels, our technical quality, our competitiveness - all the fundamentals we pride ourselves on were missing today."
Guimarães Blow Compounds Misery
To make matters worse, Brazilian midfield maestro Bruno Guimarães picked up his fifth yellow card of the season, triggering an automatic one-match suspension that will see him miss Newcastle's next crucial fixture.
"It's a massive blow," Howe admitted. "Bruno is such an important player for us, and to lose him through suspension is incredibly frustrating. We'll have to find a way to cope without him."
Fulham's Dominance Exposes Newcastle Flaws
The comprehensive nature of Fulham's victory sent shockwaves through the Premier League, with Marco Silva's side completely outplaying their more fancied opponents. Newcastle looked a shadow of the team that impressed in Europe earlier this season, raising serious questions about their consistency and depth.
Howe acknowledged the need for immediate improvement. "We have to take this on the chin and respond. There are no excuses - we have to be better. This performance level simply isn't acceptable for this football club."
What Next for the Magpies?
With European ambitions still very much alive, Howe faces a critical period in Newcastle's season. The absence of Guimarães, coupled with this confidence-shattering defeat, presents the manager with his biggest challenge since taking charge.
"We'll analyse everything from this performance and make the necessary corrections," Howe promised. "The players know this wasn't good enough. We have to show our character now and bounce back immediately."
