Your Newcastle United headlines for Monday, November 7.
Brazil squad announced
Bruno Guimaraes has earned a place in Brazil's 26-man squad for the World Cup but fellow countryman Joelinton has been overlooked by Selecao chief Tite. Guimaraes has been a regular figure for the national side in recent months after flourishing for Eddie Howe's Newcastle in 2022.
The 24-year-old missed Brazil's last two fixtures through injury but was always expected to be called upon for the Qatar showpiece later this month. Brazil boss Tite was on Tyneside last month to get one final look at his potential World Cup stars when Newcastle took on Aston Villa at St James' Park.
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Hasenhuttl sacked
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl heaped praise on the Magpies and singled out Guimaraes in his final press conference as Southampton manager on Sunday. The Austrian - sacked this morning following the 4-1 defeat - had previously made enemies of the Newcastle fanbase with comments over their transfer spending and a postponed fixture earlier this year.
READ MORE: Ralph Hasenhuttl changes Newcastle United tune in final press conference as Southampton boss
"They have quality in every position," Hasenhuttl told reporters. "They have a threat, they have with Bruno a fantastic midfielder who leads their game – this is their squad.
"You can see we are doing what we can do, to hold them under control and to compete with them."
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Howe's team-bonding sessions
ddie Howe says you could "hear a pin drop" during intimate discussion sessions with his squad that he designed to bring the club together amid last season's relegation battle.
During the meetings with his players a squad member every week is asked to tell their own story and reflect on their own personal situations in front of the group. Howe feels that in doing so his stars will have a much better understanding of each other and if somebody is having a bad day there is instantly more empathy around the camp.
"When it's happening you can hear a pin drop," he told the High Performance podcast. "Everybody is very respectful and understanding that it will be their turn at some stage. So give the person all the support they can. And we've had some really good ones.
"As part of our fine system we have a weekly meeting. One player from the squad will tell his story. One of the first things I did was tell mine to the group, I thought I had to set this as part of what we do I have to lead from the front and do it myself.
Dyer backs top-four finish
Kieron Dyer has tagged Newcastle as "favourites" to qualify for the Champions League this season. The former midfielder was part of the last Toon squad to reach the competition back in 2003 when United finished in the same third spot as they currently sit in now.
Dyer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast: "Newcastle are very powerful. Eddie Howe's motto is 'Our identity is our intensity' and they are a very hard team to outrun and outpower.
"They are building the team in a measured way and the recruitment has been fantastic. Newcastle are firing on all cylinders at the moment and you can see really good times ahead for them.
"With the rest of the teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham still in transition, I don't think they are dark horses to make the Champions League - I think they are favourites."
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Howe on Pep praise
Howe admits he must be weary of rivals heaping more pressure on his team. The last fortnight has resulted in Pep Guardiola coming out and praising the Magpies and talking up both their Champions League and title credentials.
That would be a huge step up for a Newcastle team that started the calendar year in the relegation zone. Howe said: "I’m not sure whether it’s an honest reflection that he’s (Guardiola) given or whether he’s just trying to put more pressure on us. It’s difficult without the context of the interview he’s given but he’s someone I respect. Pep is someone I respect immensely."
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