Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson is the latest pundit to defend Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe.
Howe has come under heavy criticism following what has been an extremely disappointing Premier League campaign, sprinkled with a heavy 8-3 Champions League exit to Barcelona.
The Magpies have dropped a staggering 25 points from winning positions. In their last two matches alone, they have taken the lead against Sunderland and Crystal Palace only to lose 2-1, leaving them 14th in the table with only six fixtures remaining.
European qualification was the aim at the beginning of the season but United look set to miss out, with five points the gap to seventh-place Brentford. Next up is AFC Bournemouth, who are also in the European mix, sitting three points above Howe’s side.
Paul Merson laughs off Eddie Howe under pressure talk
Following a historic campaign that brought a Carabao Cup trophy win and Champions League qualification, Newcastle have gone backwards, leaving supporters justifiably concerned.
But Merson has played ignorance, saying he can’t help but laugh at the opinion that Howe is under pressure.
"It's hard at the moment because Newcastle have been playing for so much over the last few years, won a cup for the first time, playing in the Champions League, and now they are drifting around mid-table,” he told Sky Sports. “They are almost in nothing territory, and it's quite hard after the highs they have had.
"When I hear about Eddie Howe under pressure, it makes me laugh. He brought them their first trophy in what felt like a million years. It's ridiculous any talk of pressure. The real problem is that it looks like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes might leave - those are the things that should worry Newcastle fans. But they are still a good team.
"It's a bit like Liverpool, the high of winning the league last season, now look at them. The demands are taking their toll. Last year, they had a much more settled team; injuries have meant they don't have that this year. You couldn't pick Newcastle's best team. I would give them a bit of leeway.
"I expect Newcastle to always be around the five, six, seven mark in the Premier League. When they have a full team, all on it, they give anyone a game."
Continue Reading