Eddie Howe has admitted he is “not doing my job well enough at the moment” as pressure mounted after Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park.
The Magpies threw away a 1-0 lead and twice fell behind as their poor run extended to just one win in eight matches in all competitions. In a week that included the loss of their Carabao Cup defence, Newcastle sit 10 points off fifth place — the likely Champions League qualification spot — with 13 games remaining.
Newcastle are as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top five, and supporters booed the team at both half-time and full-time.
“I always feel under pressure. It’s irrelevant to me, the type of pressure,” Howe said after the match. “When you’re in this job, you’re always in that moment: whether it’s pressure to win, or to turn around results. We’re very much in that [second] feeling.
“I always say the pressure I put on myself could not be more extreme. I demand really high standards from what I am doing and how I work, and what I ask the players to do. I’m obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment. I’m annoyed with myself, angry with myself, blaming myself, taking full accountability on my shoulders. No one else.”
Howe also acknowledged that only a small number of his players are performing at their best during this slump. “There’s a harsh reality for me,” he added. “I think I have to think long and hard about — not my effort, because I can’t question that — but I have to work better, do more. I have to take responsibility for everything you see on the pitch. I have got to work out solutions.
“I also of course have to ask the same of the players. I have to ask them to be really honest and look at their best levels, and judge them against that now in this current moment. I don’t think there are too many who can say they are playing their best. That then gives us growth to improve.”
On the crowd’s reaction, Howe said: “If we perform, the crowd will back us. They will be with us every step of the way. I have no issue with their reaction today. They are reacting to what we deliver. I don’t see that being a problem. Of course we have to turn that around with our performances.”
Defender Kieran Trippier stressed that the poor run is not down to the manager. “First of all, I want to say it’s nothing about the manager,” he told Sky Sports. “We take responsibility for the performances. The manager puts the plan out, we try and execute it. I’m not going down that route about the manager. It’s us players that need to take responsibility on the pitch. Now, we have to regroup. Put performances in for ourselves, the fans and the manager most importantly.”
Analysis: If Howe can’t fix it, this could get ugly
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz noted the boos at St James’ Park were angry and pointed — fans expect better. There are mitigating factors: five injured players (Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Tino Livarmento, Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon) and a hectic fixture list, while simple errors are being punished.
Those excuses have been present all season. A lack of attacking fluency traces back to Alexander Isak’s transfer saga, which disrupted pre-season preparations. Newcastle now lack clarity over a No.9 between Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, and Isak’s situation may finally be catching up with them.
There are also controllable problems. Newcastle have conceded 15 goals in their last five games despite having strengthened defensively last summer. Much of what made Howe’s team hard to beat is drifting away. The fixture list intensifies with four tough away games coming up, and if Howe cannot find solutions to this slump, the situation could deteriorate further.
Newcastle’s next 10 fixtures
February 10: Tottenham (A), Premier League, 7.30pm
February 14: Aston Villa (A), FA Cup fourth round, 5.45pm
February 18: Qarabag (A), Champions League play-off first leg, 5.45pm
February 21: Man City (A), Premier League, 8pm
February 24: Qarabag (H), Champions League play-off second leg, 8pm
February 28: Everton (H), Premier League, 3pm
March 4: Man Utd (H), Premier League, 8.15pm
March 7: Possible FA Cup fifth round tie
March 14: Chelsea (A), Premier League, 5.30pm
March 22: Sunderland (H), Premier League, 12 noon