Eddie Howe says his Newcastle players will suffer a “steep” drop from their thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool as they prepare to face Brentford.
Fabian Char's 90th-minute equalizer earned the Magpies a deserved point against the Premier League leaders on Wednesday after twice leading at St James' Park.
The result ended an eight-game winning streak for the Reds, with Ton producing a display that should encourage them in the coming weeks.
“Going into the Liverpool game the players will have felt the best of the game – certainly as a player I felt that,” Howe said ahead of Saturday's trip to the Bees.
“After every game, there is always a drop, but I think it will be steep after the Liverpool game.
“Our challenge this weekend is to find a way to reach the same level of intensity and mental quality that we showed on Wednesday.
Attitude is key
The Toon have won just one of their last 10 Premier League games and Brentford go into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa.
Thomas Frank's side have looked different at home, however, winning six and drawing one of their seven at the GTech Community Stadium this season.
Howe wants to see his players approach the West London game with a similar attitude to what they did on Wednesday.
He added: “As always, it's an attitude. Attitude is everything to any team. Against Liverpool you saw the right attitude, the right mental preparation from the players.
“When we got on the field, I have no doubt, in the early exchanges of the game we were in a good place; really good energy, bite in midfield, desire to win the ball, really good in duels.
“Gradually, when you're good in those small areas, your bigger performance looks different.”
“Athletic, I thought we looked really good; the running speed of our forwards, the fighting qualities of our midfield against a top team. “Especially in the first half I felt we won that battle.”
It is important to start well
Brentford are known for scoring early goals this season and Howe knows his side will need to start generating well to have any chance.
The Toon boss added: “Whenever you leave home, the intention you set is key. The early exchanges give you a lot of clues as to how the game will go. We should start well.
“Brentford scored a lot of early goals – we're well aware of that. They're still a very godlike team, so we'll have to be on our guard.
Team news: Bothman and Trippier are improving but still out
Howe says injured defender Kieran Trippier is “improving”, as he offers an update on centre-back Sven Botman.
He said: “He is doing well. For Sven now it's all about the rhythm. It's all about bringing back the dynamics of the game, the geography of the field; things he would normally do on autopilot, he has to rediscover how to do them.
“It was a great reinforcement that I have in training. “He's a big guy, a big presence and we've certainly missed him.”
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