Newcastle United's leadership team have discussed the ongoing problems at the club
Newcastle United players applaud the fans following the Premier League match at Brentford
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Newcastle United's players are taking responsibility for their poor performances on their travels as they back Eddie Howe and his coaching staff. That's the view of experienced defender Kieran Trippier, who held his hands up after the dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Sunday.
The reverse - a third in a row away from home in the Premier League - leaves Newcastle two points above the relegation zone, slumped in 14th spot in the table. They have failed to win on their travels in the league since a 3-0 win over Leicester City in April.
Trippier says the leadership group in the United squad, made up of himself, Nick Pope, Jamaal Lascelles, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn, have held discussions among themselves and with other players as they try to thrash out what is going wrong. One thing they are keen to stress, however, is that the players are to blame and not the under-fire Howe.
Asked if there had been stern words in the dressing room after the Brentford defeat, Trippier said: “I wouldn't say any arguments or anything.
"We've got a lot of experienced players in the dressing room, we've all discussed it. The leadership group, as a team, the manager has fully put a stamp on it. But all we can do as players, it's not the managers, it's the players who need to step up away from home.
"There's no excuses because the record at home is top, away it's not, but as players we need to take responsibility, which we will do as I’m stood here now speaking to you guys. We'll take it on the chin.
"Obviously it's not the best way of putting it, but all we can do is apologise to the fans. All I can say is that the lads are giving everything.”
The former England star led the players over to the travelling away fans at the final whistle, with thousands of supporters still in the Gtech Community Stadium backing Howe and the players despite another long, fruitless trip to the capital.
Trippier said he knew the players hadn't performed again to their capabilities but wanted to show the fans their appreciation.
“We didn't particularly play great. I don't think either side did, but we came in at half-time 1-0," he said.
"We all accept and we all know the away form is not up to scratch, but we've been working on it. Nobody's hiding from the fact that we've not won away from home.
"The supporters have travelled so far and we understand that and we apologise for that, but maybe the break has come at the right time. Who knows? But yes, we've been in this situation before and for sure we'll bounce back 100% and that is without a doubt.”
With several players now having headed off with their international teams, it will be left to Howe and those who remain on Tyneside to work hard on the training ground to prepare for the visit of Manchester City on the resumption. Pep Guardiola brings his title-challengers to St James' Park on Saturday, November 22 for a 5.30pm kick-off.
Trippier says the team will do all they can to bounce back. “There's no guarantees, but obviously the main focus now is the lads go on international break," he said. "The lads that don't [they] rest and recover.
"Take a look at ourselves individually and collectively - like I do after every game, win, lose or draw. I always analyse where I've done wrong, where I could do better, etc.
"All we can do is, and the most important thing is stick together because as I said in the dressing room after the game before, I've never been in a better group.
"One of the best groups I've ever been involved in, the unity. We'll come through. It's about clicking and it will happen. Maybe as I said before, the break has come at the right time for us as players and as a team.”
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