Eddie Howe admitted he is “not doing my job well enough at the moment” after Newcastle slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park, extending a poor run that has yielded just one win in eight matches across all competitions.
Newcastle surrendered a 1-0 lead, twice fell behind and suffered a bruising week that included the loss of their Carabao Cup defence. With 13 games remaining they sit 10 points off fifth place — the likely Champions League qualification spot — and are as close to the relegation region as they are to the top five. Supporters booed at both half-time and full-time.
Howe said he always feels pressure in the job and that, right now, the pressure to turn results around is the most acute. He stressed he holds himself to extremely high standards and accepted responsibility for the current form: annoyed and angry with himself, he said he is taking full accountability.
He also acknowledged that only a small number of players are performing at their best during the slump. Howe said he must work harder to find solutions, and that he will ask his squad to be honest about their levels so the group can improve.
On the fans reaction, Howe added that supporters will back the team if performances improve and that he understood their response to what they have seen on the pitch.
Defender Kieran Trippier was keen to shield the manager, telling Sky Sports the issues are down to the players. He said the manager provides the plan and the players must execute it, take responsibility and regroup for the fans and the coaching staff.
Analysis: where things are going wrong
Sky Sports commentator Sam Blitz described the boos at St James’ Park as sharp and pointed — a reflection of fans expecting more. There are mitigating factors: five first-team players are sidelined (Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Tino Livarmento, Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon) and a congested fixture list has stretched the squad, while basic errors are being punished.
Those mitigating points, however, have been recurring. A lack of attacking fluency can be traced back to Alexander Isak’s protracted transfer saga, which disrupted pre-season and left uncertainty over a reliable No.9; Newcastle have rotated between Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa without clarity. Isak’s situation may finally be catching up with them.
There are also problems within the manager’s control. Despite defensive signings last summer, Newcastle have conceded 15 goals in their last five games and much of the defensive resilience that defined Howe’s side has eroded. The run of fixtures intensifies with several tough away matches looming, and if Howe cannot find answers the slump could worsen.
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