There is no doubt that the nature of Sunday’s defeat at Sunderland has caused huge concern across the Newcastle United fanbase.
Players have been slated and Eddie Howe has been questioned, leaving us under pressure to respond heading into two vital home fixtures against Fulham and Chelsea this week.
Sections of the fanbase online have signalled a growing lack of faith in Howe, but it seems that opinion is not shared by Newcastle United’s owners.
Writing for The iPaper, North East reporter Mark Douglas revealed the ‘message from the top’ following Sunday’s disaster is that Eddie Howe retains their full backing.
He reveals that Monday morning conversation saw Howe receive a message of support from the current ownership, with senior figures at the club believing now is the time to ‘respond, not react’.
Douglas adds that Howe’s record over the past three seasons and ability to navigate tricky waters means Toon chiefs retain “total confidence” in the 48-year-old to turn things around.
A sense of unity remains behind the scenes and while the need to improve this ‘short term pain’ exists, the club’s ‘long-term plan for success’ very much features Eddie Howe at the centre of it.
Howe’s previous achievements on Tyneside won’t get him a free pass forever and now feels like a key period, but I believe the club are right to keep faith and trust him to pull us out of this tricky patch.
Results must improve, especially away from home, we can’t remain in the bottom half, we need to regain our identity and Howe must find a way to make this faltering team click again at both ends of the pitch.
Let’s hope all of the above happens soon, starting tonight and the prospect of yet another Carabao Cup semi-final appearance should we see off Fulham at St James’ Park.