Kieran Trippier - just like Newcastle United as a whole - came out fighting for his manager last night.
Kieran Trippier has taken a swipe at the Eddie Howe critics by declaring the Newcastle United dressing room are “fully behind” their manager.
Never has the roller-coaster ride of a Premier League manager been more evident than at St James’ Park in recent weeks. Just a week ago, the Toon boss was facing awkward questions on his long-term future following the 3-2 home defeat to Brentford.
Social media was especially toxic - with some calling for Howe’s head despite his four years of success on Tyneside. But when the chips were down, the 48-year-old has come out fighting to with back-to-back games.
Kieran Trippier backs Eddie Howe
Newcastle dumped Aston Villa out of the FA Cup last night, coming from behind thanks to a Sandro Tonali brace and Nick Woltemade clincher. Speaking to the BBC post-match, Trippier insisted that everyone is behind the manager while firing a swipe at the online critics.
"We looked at ourselves as players in the dressing room (after the Brentford defeat), but also for the manager,” Trippier said. “I've known him over half my life. You see all this stuff on social media which he doesn't deserve. We are fully behind him and fully playing for him."
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Kieran Trippier on VAR and Aston Villa win
Trippier also singled out Sandro Tonali for praise - but there was no love towards referee Chris Kavanagh. Several baffling decisions went against Newcastle, including an offside goal that was allowed, a possible red card and a second-half penalty shout.
"It always is (a roller-coaster) against Aston Villa, always a high-tempo game,” Trippier added. “We've been under scrutiny a bit, but we regrouped after Brentford, we had a good talk with ourselves - just us players. Good win away from home, I'm delighted for Sandro (Tonali) to score, he's been unbelievable for us.
"There's no VAR. The penalty incident, I'm sure it was a penalty. But this is football, you have to react to disappointments and we did that. Villa posed a threat with 10 men but that third goal was crucial.”
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