Newcastle United manager Eddie Howeplaceholder image
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe | AFP via Getty Images
Eddie Howe is under pressure for the first time as Newcastle United manager.
Chris Waddle believes Eddie Howe is the right fit for Newcastle United amid calls for the manager to be sacked.
A dismal 3-2 home defeat to Brentford raised the pressure levels on the Toon boss. For the first time in his Newcastle tenure, Howe is now under fire to turn the dire Premier League form around.
The Magpies took a first-half lead but capitulated for the second Saturday in a row to trail at the break. Bruno Guimaraes pulled Newcastle level from the spot before Dango Ouattara fired a crushing dagger through black-and-white hearts on 85 minutes.
Boos at St James’ Park
Howe’s men failed to rescue a point - resulting in boos ringing around St James’ Park at the full-time whistle. This is the first time online frustration spilled out in public, with the Magpies winless in the league since January 7.
Another home defeat leaves Newcastle sitting 12th in the Premier League with 13 games remaining. It does not get much easier either, with trips to Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Qarabag next.
Chris Waddle backs Eddie Howe
Speaking to NewcastleWorld, former Toon ace Waddle was asked ab out those already calling for the manager’s head. He said: “It's a minority. Listen, every club's the same (inconsistent), apart from teams who are top of the league and flying like Arsenal at the minute.
“At any club, you look at Tottenham and wherever, results don't go (their way) and (they) blame the manager. I think Eddie does what he can get out of that squad. When he's got a fully fit squad, they're a match for anybody. I think his style of play is what Newcastle fans like. They're on the front foot, they like the press. Going back many, many years, that's how Newcastle fans adopted the game. They want to be on the front foot.
“Even when I played, it was like ‘Go for it, let's see how many goals we can score’ and I think that's carried on. I think Eddie plays that way. He's had problems with injuries this season, he's got no rhythm. He's never really picked the same team twice. He's done a smashing job at Newcastle, I think he's got the most out of the players he's got.
“There's ways of looking at it but it's a minority (who want him out). When fans start singing for his name to be axed, that is when there's a problem. At the minute, there's a minority who think the team should be top of the league, winning the Champions League, winning the FA Cup and winning the Carabao Cup and it's all wrong. I don't think Eddie's job should be in jeopardy. Personally, I think he's done a fantastic job with the club.”
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