Eddie Howe shows pure emotion in front of the Newcastle United supporters last night.placeholder image
Eddie Howe shows pure emotion in front of the Newcastle United supporters last night. | Getty Images
In 90 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle showed they are very much United behind the man who has given blood, toil, tears and sweat to the cause since arriving four years ago.
When the chips were down, Newcastle United players came out fighting for their under-fire manager. Eddie Howe’s position had dominated the pre-match build-up ahead of the trip to North London.
For the first time as Toon boss, Howe answered awkward questions about his future. Talk of statues and Freedom of the City - the latter of which he was granted - took place just 11 months earlier but felt like a lifetime ago.
The majority remained behind Howe, but only a fool could dismiss the growing number of dissenting voices - especially on social media. In 90 minutes against an admittedly poor Tottenham Hotspur side, Newcastle showed they are very much United behind the man who has given blood, toil, tears and sweat to the cause since arriving four years ago.
It is rare for Howe to express outward emotion. He never gets carried away or downbeat, always possessing the calming presence that this crazy club needs. But with a valiant fist pump and roar to the Toon away end, his actions spoke a thousand words.
Forever the modest, unassuming figurehead, Howe told reporters post-match: “It was the fact I was pushed to the front (by Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier) and had no choice, really. It's not really my style.
“I think it was probably more in recognition of the fact that we haven't won away enough. Our supporters have travelled far and wide to watch us and we feel like we've let them down on a few occasions.
“It's nice today that we get that moment to celebrate with them and not just me, but the players get a chance, some of the new players get a chance to experience the love from the fans. That was a special connection and I'm grateful it's still there.”
By all accounts, Spurs were terrible. Thomas Frank faced the chop this morning and, had the result been reversed, many would have called for Newcastle to do the same.
The Magpies sit 10th in the table - not where they expect to be at this stage of the season. Howe would admit that - and has done in recent days - with European football the minimum expected to keep the PSR ball rolling.
But without wanting to labour the point, there are mitigating factors that explain the current campaign beyond the man in the dugout. Axing him at the first sign of turbulence would be a weakness, not a strength.
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This was never going to be a season that matched the fairytale heights of 2025. That hope evaporated the moment Alexander Isak threw his toys out of the pram and sent the summer transfer window spiralling into chaos.
However, a transitional campaign can still lead Newcastle on the right path. Europa League qualification is achievable and it may be a case of taking a step back to go full throttle next year.
Amid the black-and-white bedlam of the last 72 hours, the manager remained as steadfast as ever that he is the right captain to steer the club through choppy waters. Second-half grit from the players and a post-match encore with 3,000 travelling fans proved that belief is very much mutual.
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