Eddie Howe has urged his Newcastle United stars to grow and prove they can deal with the rigours of European football.
The Magpies rolled Benfica over on Tuesday night, but Howe has now called for laser focus as Marco Silva brings his Fulham side to St James' Park eyeing a repeat of last term's shock win on Tyneside. Howe feels that his side won't be considered a top side until they can crack dealing with two games per week.
The Toon boss told Chronicle Live: "We need laser focus on the next game, whichever competition we are in.
"That is where top teams are defined because the performance should be unaffected by what competition you are in.
"Fulham beat us here last season and probably deservedly so.
"So we need to use those games as learning experiences to make sure it doesn't happen again."
The ability to switch focus has been a topic of conversation in the dressing room this week with Anthony Gordon even joking about running out with a Champions League ball rather than the standard top-flight editions.
But Howe said underestimating Premier League sides just because the Magpies beat Benfica is dangerous. He said: "I think that is key for us. If we do underestimate, that is where we run into trouble.
"It is then about returning to have a sole focus to the Premier League and lose the baggage of a Champions League night very quickly, that is the challenge that we face.
"We have done it OK so far. I think we can improve it and do it better."
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