Howe's position as Newcastle manager has come under fresh scrutiny after another derby loss against Sunderland
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe looks on during training
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe oversees training
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As the dust begins to settle on the fury and frustration caused by a second Newcastle United derby defeat to Sunderland this season, it is clear that Eddie Howe will remain the club's head coach heading into the end of season run-in.
In what has been a bruising, relentless season, fought across all fronts, Newcastle's defeat to Sunderland put a seal on a month which saw their FA Cup and Champions League challenge end and the manager facing some serious questions.
United head into the March international break in 12th place in the Premier League table and having guided the Magpies to Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification last season, Howe is facing up to the very real possibility of a bottom half Premier League finish this term.
Newcastle have struggled with the demands of playing twice a week across four competitions in a run that has seen them play 48 games between September and March.
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But the good will of reaching a third Carabao Cup semi-final in four years and matching Sir Bobby Robson's achievement of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League is in short supply after another meek surrender in their 2-1 loss to Sunderland.
The inconsistency of United's season has prompted a lot of questions around Howe's position on social media but, up until Sunday, the support for Howe from fans inside of St James' Park has been unequivocal.
But as they applauded supporters in the wake of their derby defeat, it was the first time there were some audible boos towards Howe and his players.
As Alan Shearer said on Monday, there will be some 's**t thrown' Howe's way over the next three weeks and he has to understand that and, crucially, so, too, do the club's ownership.
The noises around the club indicate they will do and Howe has earned enough credit in the bank over four successful years to be tasked with the club's rebuild in the summer transfer market and afforded the opportunity to do so alongside recently appointed CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson.
Usually, when a manager is reaching the end it is pretty clear the players are no longer playing for them. We have seen no evidence of that at Newcastle.
The defeat to Sunderland was dreadful but fatigue undoubtedly played a part. Recent wins against Manchester United and Chelsea and their performances against Barcelona until the second half of the second leg at the Camp Nou suggest the players still have faith in their manager.
They have the best part of three weeks to negotiate before they resume their season away at Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 12, and this feels like an opportunity for players to recharge and for goals to be reset between now and the end of the season.
While it still feels hard to see through the dark cloud hanging over Sunday's defeat, Newcastle are still in the hunt for the European places, with just four points separating them from the top eight, and, for the first time in seven months they will have full weeks to prepare for their final seven matches.
Howe has to hope for his sake that helps his cause, while the return of Bruno Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar to action next month will also be significant.
We will get the first indication over whether he has managed to lift his players for one final end of season push at Selhurst Park next month.
A win in South London will have United looking upwards again. Defeat and a poor performance in the capital will not only give his dissenters further ammunition, but will undoubtedly set alarm bells ringing with the club's decision makers in the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
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