Eddie Howe on recent results: 'all could have been different' | OneFootball

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe feels like things could have been different for his side after suffering some bruising defeats in recent weeks.

The Magpies have lost four of their last seven games in all competitions, including a 3-1 League Cup semi-final second-leg defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday evening with the 3-0 victory over PSV the only win in that run.

"I think naturally you can lose focus on the games that we've had," Howe said in response to those games in his pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend's game against Brentford.

"Paris, Liverpool and Man City for any team away from home in a really short period of time – all back off three-game, six-day weeks, so the lads were going into them not in the best physical condition – for any team that will be difficult.

"Watching those games, the scorelines look pretty bad but I think the games were very different, all could have been different.

"We have to acknowledge that and we have to protect the confidence of the players because if you carry that baggage into the next game then that can be difficult. We need the players to play these games with clear heads and feeling good about themselves."

The Newcastle boss was also asked about some of the negative fan reaction to the midweek defeat: "My message to them is that we are fighting, and we will give it our all to try to get a positive outcome."

There were also updates on fitness with Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley both major doubts although Bruno Guimarães has trained this week.

Newcastle are currently 11th in the Premier League although they can go level on points with Brentford should they defeat the Bees on Saturday.