After three away losses in a row, including two shocking displays in 3-1 defeats at West Ham and Brentford, questions were always going to be asked about Eddie Howe and the squad’s current tactics and level of performance.
But when given an inch, the media will run a mile, and it no surprise to see pundits trying to stir up fan unrest over Howe’s position as manager.
Now eight months after delivering Carabao Cup glory, the narrative is ‘Has Eddie Howe taken Newcastle as far as he can?’ And perhaps unfortunately, a lot of our fans are echoing this idea, which is causing a significant divide in the fanbase.
This was perfectly displayed in a recent radio call-in on [talkSPORT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98JbcgQLQZk&t=201s), where pundits Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist both weighed in on the current situation at St James’ Park.
Watch the full exchange below, followed by a transcription of the best bits from three very different callers:
Speaking in the fallout of our recent loss to Brentford, the two hosts invited fans to call in to discuss their current thoughts on if Howe is still the right man for the job as we push for both Premier League and Champions League success.
And the first caller, a fan named Andy, immediately dug into Howe and bemoaned the gaffer’s reliance on certain players and rigid squad choices.
> _“I think he has got credit in the bank, but I think things have gone stale. And I think there’s no place for sentiment in football, and nice guy Eddie Howe isn’t ruthless enough to take us any further forward.”_
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> _“He’s too loyal to players that shouldn’t be playing: Ramsdale’s a better keeper than Pope, Lewis Hall should be playing left back. I love Dan Burn, Burn’s been amazing, but Hall should be left back. He’s done the same with Longstaff when he kept him in the team far too long, he’s done the same with Almiron.”_
In response, McCoist accepted that whilst things look to be quite stagnant here in the North East, that Howe is still the man to take things forward.
> _“I still think Eddie is the man to take the next two steps forward. I genuinely believe that, and it’s not because he’s got credit in the bank._
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> _“I just think he knows the club, and once he gets one or two players back, I think Newcastle will turn a corner, I really do!”_
Though criticism must be levelled at Howe and the recruitment team for how little impact Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey, who cost close to £100m, have had so far this season, the freak injury that happened to Yoane Wissa, as well as first team stars like Hall and Tino Livramento, are far beyond the manager’s control. Howe’s hand has often been forced to play as few players as possible because that’s all he has at his disposal.
Another fan, Ken, was a lot more sympathetic to Howe’s current position, questioning how there was even a debate starting to form over whether or not Howe should be sacked in the near future.
> _“I think it’s absolute madness that fans are calling him out now. He’s one of the most successful managers we’ve ever had. He’s got some credit in the bank.”_
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> _“Yes, things haven’t been going well away from home. Look at our performances in the Champions League and at home in general. I think get off his back, you know, just give him a bit of a chance still.”_
Perhaps one of the best arguments against replacing Howe at this moment in time is the sheer lack of credible managers who could replace the former Bournemouth boss.
Aside from Zinedine Zidane, the best free agents right now are Erik ten Hag, Gareth Southgate and Xavi: not exactly the most exciting trio amongst other candidates.
> _“Who are we going to bring in that’s any better that’s available? It would mean starting again completely. It’s madness!”_
Last season, our 3-1 away loss to Brentford forced the team to completely refocus, and we went subsequently went on to go on a huge winning streak that would be the catalyst for our success later on in the campaign.
With how congested the current Premier League table is, Howe stringing together even just a few wins could completely transform how our season is looking, which one text respondent summed up brilliantly on TalkSPORT.
> _“Eddie Howe is the only manager for Newcastle United. We’re two wins off the top six, let’s calm down._
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> _“We spent Christmas outside the top ten last season and finished in the Champions League. No manager could do any better.”_
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> _“He has bought into our team, our area and the fans. He represents our city with dignity and is our most successful manager for 70 years._
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> _“In Eddie we trust, people who want him out have very short memories.”_