Eddie Howe has told his Newcastle United players to sign off with their "very best performance" of the season at Turf Moor. Under Manager of the Year candidate Howe's guidance the Magpies have had some big nights in 2022 from beating Arsenal at St James' Park, to stunning away victories at Southampton, Norwich and Brentford, as well as key victories against those around them in the table at home to Everton and Aston Villa.
But Howe is eager to send fans away with a superb away day, and keep the good vibes flowing in his own squad going into next season. It's arguably not the news that Burnley fans want to hear right now, but Leeds will be able to take some motivation from it as they head to Brentford needing a win.
When asked if would prefer a less tense occasion to finish off, Howe told Chronicle Live: "We'd much rather it was this way. I'll be saying this to the players, we must be absolutely committed to the game and give our very best.
READ MORE: Newcastle notes: 'Whatever it takes' Toon chief's exciting message, Botman battle, Howe's key talks
"We want to give our very best performance. I have to say I don't feel we have dropped our levels recently. I just think we came up against two teams, and I was still quite critical of performances, (in Man City and Liverpool) that are on a totally different level to us at the moment. I am very keen to see how we do."
Howe would not be drawn on who he felt would win the title this season but he is full of respect for both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. Speaking a few days before Friday's final press conference of the season, Howe had reflected on Man City's 5-1 win at Wolves, and reflected, just a couple of days after being thrashed by the Citizens: "They (Man City) have shown they can do that (what they did to Newcastle) in any game. They have done it week in, week out.
"Their game was very good against us and I felt instantly they were in a good place. We were too that day and had the game's first big chance, if that goes in it may have been different."
