Howe admits Newcastle were poor for the 1-0 loss, which came through a Nick Woltemade own goal.
Ahead of Newcastle's Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Fulham on Wednesday night, Howe began his preview reflecting on Sunday's defeat.
He said of the loss on Wearside, "I think nothing but reviewing the game and looking at it. It's clear we didn't play well in possession. It was a strange game. It was the lowest combined XG game in the Premier League but with the ball we were way off what we can be and expect to be.
"Part of my job is to remain very level and you join the emotional rollercoaster football brings you create damage within relationships. I will be constructive with my criticism and I will be very honest with the players."
On the unhappiness of the Toon support after the Sunderland setback, Howe says they must accept the criticism for the way they played.
"I understand it and expect it," he continued. "But I can't get consumed by it, that's the key thing. You know in a game like that if you don't perform and get a positive result, criticism is naturally going to follow, it's part of the industry we are in.
"What you do with that is the key thing. I'm aware of it, know it's there, but I'm not absorbed with it. We absorb ourselves with what we can do better, how to make better performances on a more consistent basis."
Bruno was right
Howe was also asked about the post-match rant from skipper Bruno Guimaraes, who slammed his teammates and branded the performance "a mess".
The manager said, "Bruno's comments were 90% right. I don't think we were a mess but I don't think the rest were wrong. We weren't a mess, we were very well organised.
"Bruno is very emotional and that is why he is such a good leader. I agree 100% with the rest of his comments. The mindset now is that we can't affect the past, we can only affect the future."
Dan Burn was rushed to hospital after a collision on the day, with Howe delivering an update this morning.
He continued: "It was under the radar in terms of reviewing the game of the importance of Dan and what he brings to the team. It is a rib problem with an issue with his lungs so it will probably be about four to six weeks."
Facing Fulham short of options
Howe admits Burn's absence is a blow, with numbers short in terms of defensive options ahead of the tie with Fulham. Alex Murphy will be in the squad tomorrow night.
Howe admitted: "The backline is an issue for us. We don't have many injuries but we have a concentrated group of players who all play the same position so our backline is looking vulnerable.
"We are getting to a dangerous point with our defensive structure."
On veteran defender Jamaal Lascelles, he added: "Jamaal is just returning from a muscle problem. He is fit and training with the group."
Fulham an opportunity
On facing Fulham at St James Park, Howe concluded: "The beauty of football is you get another opportunity to focus on and that is a good thing for us after Sunday.
"It is a great opportunity to get to another semi-final and change the feeling and the mood and have something positive to focus on. But this won't be an easy game and it will be a good challenge for us.
"We felt we turned a corner after the international break with some good performances and were building some kind of momentum. Then Sunday happens and it is a setback for us because we were hoping to eradicate that. Defensively we were OK but the other part of our game was non-existent."