Alan Pardew (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howeplaceholder image
Alan Pardew (left) and Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe | Getty Images
The pressure gauge has turned up a notch on Eddie Howe following Newcastle United’s defeat to Brentford.
Alan Pardew believes Eddie Howe has enough credit in the bank to be given time at Newcastle United.
Another humbling defeat in the capital left the Magpies sitting two points above the relegation zone. Brentford came from behind to dispatch Newcastle 3-1 - just as West Ham United did a week earlier.
A two-week break allows tensions to cool on Tyneside after the pressure ramped up following the latest setback. Some on social media have called for Howe’s head, with others believing he deserves more time to turn the ship around.
Alan Pardew gives Eddie Howe verdict
Former Toon boss Pardew has referenced Howe’s track record while urging fans to stick with the manager. He told talkSPORT: “It (the result) was a surprise really. I'm just surprised with the quality that Eddie's got at Newcastle, that their results are this poor at this stage of the season. Whether the European campaign is really impacting them, which it did for me when I was in the Europa League, so I do have some sympathy for him.
“When I look at his team. Joelinton, (Sandro) Tonali, (Bruno) Guimaraes… what a midfield that is. Murphy was absolutely brilliant last year, Barnes scored today and you have the big fella (Nick Woltemade) they signed. It does look, on paper, a good team. I’m still surprised that the win column isn’t greater.
“I do think Eddie has enough in the locker. He proved that by winning the cup and I do hope that he improves on the situation. I certainly think he has enough in that changing room. Stick with Eddie and let’s see where we go.”
Eddie Howe message to Newcastle United fans
When asked to give a message to the travelling Toon supporters, Howe said: “My message is that we know it's not good enough and I take full responsibility for that. And the work to put that right starts now. That's all I can do in this moment.”
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Newcastle United experienced heads
Howe was also asked whether any of the experienced heads in the dressing room spoke up at full-time. Instead, he preferred to voice his opinion during Newcastle’s post-match debrief.
“We've got an experienced team and occasionally those players may speak,” Howe added. “But I think it was important for me to speak and give my message to the team. In times of adversity and difficulty, I think it's when your true character is tested and when your true character is revealed.
“And I think we need to be very calm, but we need to be measured and we need to be reflective. We need to then come out of this period with a way forward and a way that we're going to be successful away from home and at home and get some more points.”
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