The pressure is mounting on Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe, if social media is to be believed.
After leading Newcastle to Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification, Howe has experienced a regression from his side so far this season, despite a record £250million transfer spend.
Injuries and the high-profile £130million sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool have obviously had a detrimental impact on the side this season.
But Saturday’s hosting of Brentford, a side that experienced a far more destabilising summer with the loss of a manager, captain and top two scorers, is a timely reminder that football keeps moving and clubs have to move along with it. Despite the summer they had, Brentford sit three points above Newcastle in the table heading into the match at St James’ Park.
It’s a sobering reality check for Newcastle that has already seen Saturday’s game labelled by many as a ‘must-win’ for Howe and his side.
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Eddie Howe responds to social media criticism
A vocal but growing section of supporters online have called for Howe to leave the club, but the support for the manager at St James’ Park has remained through this tough period.
“Yeah, well, I'm pleased I'm not on social media if it's heated,” Howe said. “My message is that we're fighting and I think you can see that on the pitch.
“The players are giving everything every two, three, four days to try and be successful and I think Wednesday was disappointing. We wanted to give it a really good fight, a really good effort to try and get into the final. The players were hugely motivated and then we conceded early in the game, and the game becomes very difficult.
“But credit to the players for the response in the second half and the fact we were still going, still trying to score, still creating chances right through the game and now we've got to do it again and there's no break for us. So, I can assure you the players are maxed out physically, mentally and we obviously see them behind the scenes and that will be the same for the staff. We're all trying for success.
“It doesn't always go in a straight line. There'll be bumps in the road and as there has been this season, it's been a really challenging season on many different fronts. But we'll give our all to get a positive outcome.”
Newcastle head into the match on the back of three difficult away fixtures in three separate competitions. After drawing 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Newcastle were beaten 4-1 at Liverpool before being knocked out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.
Eddie Howe responds to resignation speculation
Amid the social media criticism, there was also loose speculation that Howe could resign from his position as manager come the end of the season - something that was put to the Newcastle boss in his pre-match press conference.
“That’s a surprise to me,” he responded. “I give my best to the football club every single day, to all the players and the staff. I try to be the best version of myself to inspire the team to win games. That’s my only thought.
“I don’t tend to look too far ahead but I try to prepare and plan for the club to move forward in every sense. My individual future isn’t really relevant.”
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