Pressure mounts on Newcastle’s head coach after the 3-2 defeat at Brentford, with Eddie Howe admitting he is “not doing my job well enough at the moment”.
The Magpies gave up a 1-0 lead and fell behind twice against the Bees as Newcastle’s form extended to just one win from eight games in all competitions.
A week in which Newcastle lost their Carabao Cup defense leaves Howe’s side 10 points adrift of fifth place in the Premier League, with 13 games remaining and what is expected to be the final Champions League spot at stake.
Newcastle were as close to the relegation zone as they were to qualifying for the Champions League, and the fans at St James’ Park booed their team at both half-time and full-time.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Newcastle and Brentford
“I always feel pressure. The type of pressure doesn’t matter to me,” Howe said in the post-match press conference.
“When you’re in this job, you’re always in the moment, whether it’s the pressure to win or the pressure to turn the result around. We feel that (secondary) emotion very much.
“I always say the pressure I put on myself cannot be more extreme. I have very high standards for what I do, the way I work and the things I ask of my players.
“At the moment I’m obviously not doing my job well enough.
“I’m frustrated with myself, angry with myself, blaming myself, taking all the responsibility on my shoulders, no one else.”
Howe: Not many Newcastle players are playing at their best.
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After the 3-2 defeat to Brentford at St James’ Park, manager Eddie Howe suggested Newcastle needed to “get back to basics” to find a way to win games, but reiterated his players had given their best effort despite individual mistakes.
Howe said so, but Newcastle’s head coach admitted that there are only a few players who can be said to be “playing their best” at a time of poor form.
“There’s a harsh reality for me,” Howe said. “I think I have to think long and hard because it’s not my effort and I can’t doubt it. But I have to work harder and do more. I have to take responsibility for everything I see on the pitch. I have to find a solution.”
“Of course I have to ask the players the same thing. I have to ask them to be really honest and look at their highest level and judge themselves based on that in this moment.
“I don’t think there are too many players who can say they’re playing their best game. That’s what will help us grow.”
Asked if he was worried about boos from his own supporters, Howe said: “If we perform, the audience will be rooting for us. They’ll be with us every step of the way.”
“There’s nothing wrong with their reaction today. They’re reacting to what we offer them. I don’t think that’s the problem. Of course we have to turn it around with our performance.”
Trippier: Form has nothing to do with Howe.
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier also admitted his players had to work harder and said the club’s poor form had nothing to do with Howe.
“First of all, I would like to say this is not a manager’s issue,” he told Sky Sports. “We are responsible for the performance.
“The manager gives us a plan and we try to execute it. I’m not going to go down that path with the manager.
“We, the players, have to take responsibility on the pitch. Now we have to rebuild the team. The most important thing is to perform for ourselves, for the fans and for the manager.”
Analysis: This could get ugly if Howe can’t fix it
Sam Blitz of Sky Sports:
The boos that rang out around St James’s Park were angry and sharp. Newcastle fans expect more than this.
Eddie Howe was keen to accept it, but also provided mitigating circumstances. Five players are out injured: Joelinton, Fabian Schaal, Tino Rivalmento, Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon. There’s also a hectic match list that doesn’t hold up and simple mistakes end up being punished.
Excuses continued throughout the season for Newcastle. The lack of attacking fluency can be traced back to the Alexander Isak transfer saga, which sent the club back to pre-season preparations. Newcastle currently don’t know who their No. 9 will be in Nick Woltemade and Yoan Wissa, but perhaps the Isak move is finally catching up to them.
But there are some situations that Howe can control. Newcastle have conceded 15 goals in their last five games despite the club actually improving in defensive areas last summer.
Everything that made Howe’s Newcastle difficult to beat is disappearing. And that tough list of matches keeps getting bigger. Next up will be four away test games at Spurs, Aston Villa, Qarabag and Man City. If Howe can’t find a solution to this slump, the situation could get even worse.
Newcastle’s next 10 games
February 10: Tottenham (A), Premier League, 7.30pm kick-off
February 14: Aston Villa (A), FA Cup 4th round, 5.45pm kick-off
February 18: Qarabag (A), Champions League play-offs first leg, 5.45pm kick-off
February 21: Man City (A), Premier League, 8pm kick-off
February 24: Qarabag (H), Champions League play-off second leg, 8pm kick-off
February 28: Everton (H), Premier League, 3pm kick-off
March 4: Man United (H), Premier League, kick-off 8:15pm
March 7: Possibility of FA Cup 5th round draw
March 14: Chelsea (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, 5.30pm kick-off
March 22: Sunderland (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, midday kick-off
