HIS side might have crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester City, but Eddie Howe has branded suggestions that Newcastle United’s season is effectively over as “absolute nonsense”.

The Magpies’ hopes of reaching Wembley for a second successive season were dashed at the Etihad yesterday as two deflected first-half goals from Bernardo Silva condemned them to a 2-0 defeat. With their last major domestic trophy having come in 1955, that means the wait for silverware will have stretched to 70 years by the end of next season.

Newcastle still have ten more Premier League matches to play, but unlike last season, when they successfully challenged for a Champions League place, their hopes of finishing in the top four this term have already evaporated.

They could still make Europe in either the Europa League or Conference League though, and Howe insists that means the next two months are anything but a write-off.

A seventh-place finish will definitely secure a European spot, while eighth position could be good enough depending on England’s European coefficient, which will determine whether the Premier League gets five places in next season’s Champions League or not, and the identity of the FA Cup winners. Newcastle are currently tenth, three points adrift of seventh-placed West Ham, who they play in their first game back after the international break.

“European qualification is hugely important for us, and that’s our aim,” said Howe. “That’s why I say there’s a huge amount to play for. If people say our season is over, that’s absolute nonsense as far as I’m concerned.

“We’re driving forward to try to get our best form back first and foremost, to try to win as many games as we can and finish the season in a positive way. I have no doubt if we do that, we’ll take that feeling into next season as well. I do feel we have a lot to be positive about, but we also have a lot to analyse and reflect on, and try to improve.”

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Howe also accepts the next two months will be important in terms of trying to eradicate some of the negativity that has built up in the last few months.

Newcastle have won just five of their last 16 matches over the course of 90 minutes, exiting two different cup competitions during that spell, and while Howe’s position as head coach is not under threat, he acknowledges there is a need to start turning things around.

“I think we have a responsibility in these final ten games to build,” he said. “Of course, we’ll have our targets for the season, but we’ll also be building for the future. We have to make sure we’re the most competitive team we can be.

“There’ll be no negativity from me, or from the players. We know the importance of representing the club well in every single game and every single moment. I still feel we have a huge amount to play for.”