Newcastle news: Opinion – Fan writer on Eddie Howe as boss

Newcastle United returned from the international break and promptly lost for the first time at home since January, 1-0 to Brighton.

The performance and result have compounded the problems we have been having this season, prompting more questions than answers.

If you take social media as a litmus test of how fans are feeling, which I strongly suggest you do not, you would see an overwhelmingly negative sentiment towards Eddie Howe and the way he has us playing this season so far.

YouTube comments under our videos call for ‘Howe out’ and decry him as ‘inept’. For what it is worth, I think anyone calling Howe ‘inept’ is telling on themselves. Go back to your comprehension books! Howe may be struggling to find a creative way to break down opposition, but inept he is not.

I think the reality is that legitimate questions are being asked of Howe and his coaching staff after a run of games with no end product, a lack of intensity, and some terrible set pieces.

I am not sure that the fanbase actually is ‘Howe out’. Personally, I am definitely not. I’m not about to kneejerk my way into being managerless.

Perhaps there are limitations on what he can do. Perhaps he has been hamstrung by all the horrible acronyms we as football fans now have to think about (PSR, FFP, APT etc.). Perhaps the players we have are not fully committed.

Whatever it is, I still think that Eddie Howe deserves a chance to get it right. I also think he is technically in that chance as we speak, so the next few games are critical.

The mood could go either way for the bulk of Newcastle fans by the next international break. I just hope it is in a positive direction.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external