'Foot to the floor' - Howe's message for Magpies as United chase tenth straight win

The Magpies welcome Howe's former side to St. James' Park this weekend looking for the victory that would mark a significant milestone for upwardly-mobile United, who moved into the Premier League's top four with a 3-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday.

Howe maintains that his team's approach to the clash with the Cherries will be the same as it has been during the terrific run which has lifted Newcastle up the table, as well as ensuring a Carabao Cup semi-final berth and a place in the FA Cup fourth round.

But he warned that his players will need to be at their best once again against Andoni Iraola's men, who are on a fine run of their own and are out to make it 11 games without defeat.

Howe was speaking ahead of the game at his pre-match media briefing on Friday morning. Here are some of the main talking points:

On the Magpies' approach to a potentially record-breaking weekend...

"We've actually been quite relaxed during this run - we've not focused on it, we've not talked about it internally, we've just gone on to the next game. We're certainly not going to change now. It will just be about Bournemouth, and making sure we perform in the right way.

"I'm relaxed on these things. I know it's something for everyone to talk about, and of course we want to win and we want to keep the run going as long as we can, but it's always about how we play."

On a tight and congested Premier League table...

"It's an unusual Premier League season in terms of the league table - very tight and congested. I think every team going right the way down the league will look at it and think 'if we can get some consistent results together we could be in the mix.

"I think it works both ways, so now we have to guard against falling off from where we've been. We've really enjoyed the run, and we've put ourselves in a really good position - and now it's about foot to the floor, and trying to win more."

On Fabian Schär, who missed the midweek win over Wolves through illness...

"We'll make a decision today. Fabi trained yesterday and wasn't 100 per cent himself in terms of his wellbeing. (He's had) a nasty cough, a nasty illness... we will see how he's recovered today."

On his players' mindsets...

"The players have been very mature in their response in this winning run. The players are seeing this as an expectation they have, rather than surpassing expectations.

"They are keeping the focus. There is a belief in the squad that we have good players, and we can win games. For us it is just about remaining focused and looking ahead to the next game."

On Bournemouth...

"I like a lot about how they play. I think they are never out of a game - if you look at them consistently, they've had some remarkable turnarounds in games. I think back to Everton and several other games where they've had a real late period of momentum in the game, Ipswich the same, and ended up winning the game. Their spirit is undeniable and in their performances you can see the togetherness that they play with, and Andoni deserves huge credit for the job he's done and the style of play they've implemented there.

"They're very difficult to play against, very fast-paced and aggressive. It's going to be a really good game tomorrow with two teams with mirroring styles, although slightly different in how it's constructed. It will be two teams trying to win, that's for sure."