Eddie Howe has cautioned his players that we are “running out of chances” to earn European football next season and “can’t afford” to lose many more points – at home or away – in our final 12 games.
The manager says Wolves are “very good away from home” ahead of our game at St James’ Park today, and recent results back that up, with Gary O’Neil’s side picking up four wins and two draws in their last six on the road, with the last two coming at Spurs and Chelsea.
We enter the game one point behind the visitors, but just two behind Brighton in seventh. It’s a tremendous opportunity to create momentum ahead of the run in and a key game against a European contender.
We haven’t won at St James’ Park since mid-December, and Howe understands the importance of this match.
“We know we’re running out of chances (to make European football)” , that’s what he said. “We should start on Saturday. We can’t afford to loose too many points at home or away right now.”
“I do (feel my confidence levels are slightly lower than they have been). Last season was completely different; we went into games with such a positive attitude, and we built on that momentum throughout the season.
“This season has been so splintered that it’s been stop-and-start. The spirit is the same, and we have some very good players and characters. The only way to gain confidence is to win games on a consistent basis, which we are not currently doing. But you can make it yourself.”
Howe then commented on Wolves’ potential threat, praising Gary O’Neil’s performance. “They will bring a counter attacking threat, they play a fluid style, Gary has done a brilliant job.” That’s what he stated. “They are very good away from home, dangerous opponents for us but we are confident going into the game.”
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