Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be given plenty of time to fix their Premier League woes, but last night he admitted the search for a solution starts with him. Yassir Al Rumayyan and PIF did not take part due to their languishing place in the bottom half of the table, but their position is one of concern following recent defeats, with pledges of support to Howe and his team. Howe was forced to face the music for the second time in less than a year after suffering a heartbreaking defeat at Brentford.
Just 10 minutes earlier, Howe had given his post-match analysis and expressed concern about a “technical” error that occurred during the match. In a calm response, he told reporters last night: “I know it’s not enough, and I take full responsibility for that, and if I want to get it right, I start now. That’s all I can do at this point.”
The similarity between this loss against the Bees and the 4-2 loss at G Tech Community Stadium is that in both games Howe was given enough time to turn things around. This was followed by winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley and finishing in the top five.
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle’s owners have always remained firm in their belief that Howe is the man to spearhead the project. Only now, he is doing so with a newly appointed board of directors in tow.
The Magpies made a good start with a half-time lead, but succumbed to Brentford, who went on to win 3-1. With chief executive David Hopkinson at the helm, Newcastle’s top brass will not hesitate to back Howe.
Hopkinson is currently in the middle of a 100-day staff review, but discussions about the head coaching position are off the table as all avenues for success are open this season.
The Magpies sit just two points above the relegation zone, but are on the verge of reaching the Carabao Cup semi-finals and have also enjoyed an impressive run in the Champions League. Changing the PIF’s stance on Mr Howe would require a major shift.
The Carabao Cup withdrawal, combined with Newcastle’s Wear Tyne derby defeat to Sunderland, may certainly add to the chatter, but the owners are aware that the club’s most successful manager in recent years is at the helm.
There was a wave of anger on social media after Brentford’s defeat, with stadium fans chanting “Eddie Howe’s Black and White Army” shortly after the game was officially lost and the third goal was scored.
The away side remained relatively full until the end, reflecting the hope that Howe would emerge from his predicament as usual.
Every time his leadership has been questioned (which hasn’t been very often), he has delivered significant results. It is very likely that they will play Man City in their next game after the international break.
