The message was clear as soon as the teamsheets dropped.
Though Newcastle have a Champions League last-16 tie to come back towards Barcelona on Tuesday, Howe solely made 4 modifications.
This was not solely Newcastle’s finest likelihood of silverware but additionally their finest path to get again into Europe subsequent season.
Commercial
The hosts began the sport displaying they knew it.
Newcastle shortly acquired a buoyant crowd into the sport, and their press pressured Manchester Metropolis into uncharacteristic misplaced passes on the again. Howe’s group grabbed the opener.
However the tie then acquired away from them far too simply as they dropped deeper and deeper and noticed their midfield bypassed time and time once more.
How leaky Newcastle will rue the style of each Savinho’s equaliser and Omar Marmoush’s first purpose after crosses weren’t lower out and the pair weren’t picked up.
The guests simply by no means appeared like getting again into it, however they’ve little time for a hangover.
Commercial
These supporters who stayed till the top repeatedly chanted “Eddie Howe’s black and white military”, and Newcastle will definitely want St James’ at its ferocious finest when Barcelona go to on Tuesday.