<p>The Christmas-week Premier League fixtures may not be popular with some managers, but Newcastle United's Eddie Howe cannot wait to play on Boxing Day.</p><p>A 1-0 loss at 18th-placed Luton Town on Saturday left Howe yearning for Tuesday's home game against Nottingham Forest.</p><p>"We are desperate for another fixture very quickly to try and put this game to the back of our minds," he told reporters.</p><p>Seventh-placed Newcastle have won their last seven league games at home, beating defending champions Manchester City, leaders Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.</p><p>But that was not the only reason behind Howe looking forward to the St James' Park fixture.</p><p>"The festive games have always been very enjoyable. I loved them as a player. I loved playing at Christmas," he said.</p>.With minor stake, Ratcliffe eyes major shake-up at Manchester United .<p>"Managing, it's the same. I think they are slightly different games. I think the atmosphere is always very strong.</p><p>"We've got to show the right attitude... play the game as we know we can, and hopefully the supporters will do the rest," he added.</p><p>Howe cautioned against underestimating 17th-placed Nottingham Forest under newly-appointed manager Nuno Espirito Santo.</p><p>"Whenever you play a team that's changed manager I think there's always an interesting dynamic because of changes, potential changes tactically," he said.</p><p>Newcastle have had bad results in December including exits from Champions League and League Cup, as their streak of losing away matches in the league grew to five.</p><p>Asked whether he would be able to enjoy Christmas, Howe said, "Maybe not this year so much as previous years." </p>
<p>The Christmas-week Premier League fixtures may not be popular with some managers, but Newcastle United's Eddie Howe cannot wait to play on Boxing Day.</p><p>A 1-0 loss at 18th-placed Luton Town on Saturday left Howe yearning for Tuesday's home game against Nottingham Forest.</p><p>"We are desperate for another fixture very quickly to try and put this game to the back of our minds," he told reporters.</p><p>Seventh-placed Newcastle have won their last seven league games at home, beating defending champions Manchester City, leaders Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.</p><p>But that was not the only reason behind Howe looking forward to the St James' Park fixture.</p><p>"The festive games have always been very enjoyable. I loved them as a player. I loved playing at Christmas," he said.</p>.With minor stake, Ratcliffe eyes major shake-up at Manchester United .<p>"Managing, it's the same. I think they are slightly different games. I think the atmosphere is always very strong.</p><p>"We've got to show the right attitude... play the game as we know we can, and hopefully the supporters will do the rest," he added.</p><p>Howe cautioned against underestimating 17th-placed Nottingham Forest under newly-appointed manager Nuno Espirito Santo.</p><p>"Whenever you play a team that's changed manager I think there's always an interesting dynamic because of changes, potential changes tactically," he said.</p><p>Newcastle have had bad results in December including exits from Champions League and League Cup, as their streak of losing away matches in the league grew to five.</p><p>Asked whether he would be able to enjoy Christmas, Howe said, "Maybe not this year so much as previous years." </p>