The Magpies boss did not shirk a question during an intense but brutally honest Press conference
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe after the 3-2 defeat to Brentford
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe after the 3-2 defeat to Brentford(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Eddie Howe has responded to fans who booed him and his Newcastle United players in the 3-2 defeat against Brentford.
The Magpies have now dropped 19 points from winning positions and have won just nine games out of 25. They are 10 points behind the top five and now six behind the Bees after slipping up in a six-pointer at St James' Park.
The boos were audible as the Geordie fans issued an instant verdict and discontent cascaded down from the stands. With CEO David Hopkinson watching on, it feels like there are more questions than answers at the moment.
When asked about the boos, Howe, speaking at this post-game Press conference, said: "It's not what we want. It is hard.
"But I don't blame the supporters for expressing their feelings. We created it ourselves to a point, with a lot of games where we haven't played as well as we can.
"We have defended poorly and we have been punished. There's no other thing to do but accept responsibility."
In fairness, Howe's days are long at Benton with the head coach arriving in the darkness at 6am and leaving long after training has finished. He faced up to the criticism after the game rather than trying to fight it.
Howe said: "There’s a harsh reality for me. I need to think long and hard about me. I need to work better and do more, work out solutions. I need to take full responsibility for what you see on the pitch.
"I always feel under pressure, so it’s irrelevant to me. The pressure I put on myself couldn’t be more extreme. I’m obviously not doing my job well enough."
When asked to sum up the moment for his squad right now and whether he is on the brink of a crisis, Howe told Chronicle Live: "It’s a difficult moment for us, there’s no denying it. Today, especially, we look back at the run of games we had, and you can point to positives in the performance in defeat.
"You can say we created a lot of chances there, and on a different day that could be very different. Today we take full accountability.
"We are 1-0 up at home, and we should accelerate up the gears and show our true form. We didn't. It went the other way.
"Yes, there were mitigating circumstances. Yes, we are missing key players and yes some of our players are having to play while fatigued.
"But we have to be better, there is no other way to put it."
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