Eddie Howe hilarious statement in post-match conference when he was asked about Afc Bournemouth defense immediately go viral

# Eddie Howe’s Candid Reflections: Newcastle’s Frustrating Goalless Stalemate at Bournemouth

In a match as devoid of spark as the autumn chill on the south coast, Newcastle United trudged to a 0-0 draw against AFC Bournemouth on September 21, 2025, extending manager Eddie Howe’s personal hoodoo against his former club to seven winless outings—five draws and two defeats. The Vitality Stadium encounter was a tactical chess match turned snooze-fest, with a combined expected goals (xG) of just 0.7, the Premier League’s lowest this season. Newcastle, fresh off a midweek Champions League humbling by Barcelona, claimed a fourth clean sheet in five games but mustered a miserly 0.14 xG from four shots, none on target after halftime.

Howe, who rang in seven changes to inject “fresh energy” into his squad—including a full debut for summer signing Malick Thiaw and lone striker Nick Woltemade—didn’t mince words in his BBC MOTD debrief. “I haven’t given it too much thought in terms of who deserves what,” he admitted, acknowledging Bournemouth’s threat under Andoni Iraola. “We know they are a really good team. We limited them to long shots and Nick [Pope] made some good saves. We didn’t get our attacking game going. The admission underscored Newcastle’s blunt second-half impotence: zero shots, a stark contrast to their defensive resilience, epitomized by Dan Burn’s commanding display at the back.

On the benching of captain Bruno Guimarães—part of a rotation to shield the likes of Joelinton post-injury—Howe was pragmatic. “Joelinton we have to really protect from injury. He’s just back. Bruno is different but the two who played today did really well. Substitutes Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga added fleeting pace around the hour mark, but a denied penalty shout for Woltemade’s shirt tug symbolized their misfortune.

Howe remained bullish on his side’s evolution, despite a paltry three goals across the campaign and three straight away goalless draws (Aston Villa, Leeds, now Bournemouth). “It’s not good. You want to create chances and clear-cut chances,” he conceded of their toothless outing. “It didn’t feel that in our performance. We are going through one of those phases where it’s hard to score away from home. Yet, optimism flickered: “We’re evolving and changing as an attacking force. Our ability to defend has been at a high level and we will score goals.

As Newcastle eye Arsenal next weekend, Howe’s words paint a picture of a team grinding through transition—fortress-like at the rear, but in dire need of firepower to ignite their ambitions. The Magpies’ third-place perch feels precarious; breaking the Bournemouth jinx, metaphorical or otherwise, can’t come soon enough.