Eddie Howe’s alarming admission should send shockwaves throughout the Newcastle United squad.
Howe was speaking after Newcastle’s 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Sunday and the result wasn’t the worst thing about the game.
Indeed, Newcastle were dreadful against West Ham and the scoreline flattered them. The performance was far worse than the result.
Nick Woltemade, Anthony Gordon and Emil Krafth were all replaced at half-time as the Newcastle United manager tried to find a way back into the game after falling 2-1 behind.
Not one of his many changes worked, however, and Howe would go on to admit he felt something he’s never felt about his team before.
Eddie Howe looks on before Newcastle United's Premier League game against West Ham.
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Eddie Howe says he wanted to change Newcastle United’s entire team at half time
When asked about taking Woltemade and Gordon off, Howe suggested it was nothing personal.
In fact, he said he could have taken anyone off at the break, given the torrid performance. Howe admitted he’s never experienced that before during his time at the club.
That is not a good reflection on the Newcastle United squad and one they should be embarrassed about.
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“I could have taken anyone off,” he said at his post-match press conference.
“That is a reflection of where we were at that stage of the game.
“It is very rare for me to feel that way. I don’t think I have since I have been Newcastle manager. I felt that the team needed shaking up at half-time, that’s why I did what I did.”
Newcastle United players need to hear what Alan Shearer just said about them
Shearer branded Newcastle as “lazy” after their defeat to West Ham and that felt harsh but fair.
It’s incredibly frustrating to watch this team perform well when the lights are shining bright but fail to show up in the so-called lesser games.
There’s no suggestion that Newcastle aren’t actively trying to win these games, but it does appear that they need the St James’ Park crowd to really click into gear.
That just isn’t a good enough excuse and even a big performance at home to Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday would do little to ease these lingering doubts.
The players need to step up and prove they’re a consistent force.