Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants his players to show their true character.
The Magpies were beaten in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup by Chelsea on penalties.
Despite the tough loss away from home on Tuesday, Howe wants a reaction from his team.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "Our season is going in a positive direction. If there is such a thing as a way to exit, we done it.
We did it with our heads held high. I can't fault anybody.
"We are in difficult times because of how stretched our squad is. The players are giving me everything and that's all I can ask."
Howe added on the tough cup loss: "We have to use it that way (galvanize). We have no alternative. The other option is not there for us. It has to make us even more determined to be consistent as we can be in the Premier League.
"Of course, we still have the FA Cup. But it's been a tough week for us and the players have to show character now."