Newcastle’s response to Eddie Howe sack whispers revealed
Newcastle United and endured a mixed start to the season so far and their Champions League form giving fans cause to be optimistic.
Eddie Howe’s side beat Benfica 3-0 in a huge Champions League win as they carried on their impressive form in Europe where they have now won two and drawn one.
However, they have won just two of their eight Premier League games so far this season, raising questions about their performances and struggles domestically.
Newcastle have also failed to win a league game away from St James’ Park since April, when they cruised to a 3-0 victory away against later-relegated Leicester City.
As a result, some questions have been asked about Howe’s management and the performances of a number of key players at St James’ Park.
Newcastle make Eddie Howe decision amid heightened pressure
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 October that Newcastle are asking questions of Howe with suggestions that sack pressure is growing.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Howe is under no immediate pressure at St James’ Park despite their stuttering start to the season and he will be given time to pick up their domestic form.
Meanwhile, the transfer window disruption is believed to be the main cause of their slow start and they are prepared to be patient and allow players to adjust.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “I don’t think there will be pressure on Howe. It’s been obviously a bit of a stuttering start in the Premier League for Newcastle.
“That’s pretty obvious after two wins from their opening eight games, but they were unlucky in some of those games, particularly against Liverpool and Arsenal.
“But there’s no doubt their Champions League form has been better than their Premier League form so far.
“It was a bit of a disruptive summer probably for Newcastle, with the whole Alexander Isak situation as well, and they made late moves for Woltemade and Wissa.
“Look, Eddie Howe’s doing a great job in Newcastle, he got them into the Champions League last year, and I think once these new signings settle in, we’ll see an improvement in Newcastle’s Premier League form as well.
“I still think they’re one of the top sides in the Premier League on their day and I’m sure they’ll turn things around there and we’ll be able to climb up that table sooner rather than later.”
This comes after Theo Walcott suggested Newcastle could move on from Howe, with his management of a bigger squad set to be tested while expectations continue to rise.
The real reason for Newcastle United’s issues reveal
Despite ongoing questions about their domestic form, Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle are still struggling from the transfer chaos they dealt with during the summer.
Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool caused turmoil behind the scenes and left the Magpies scrambling for reinforcements in the closing stages of the window.
Multiple of their new signings are still adapting to life at St James’ Park, with a slow start to the season seen as inevitable given the issues they struggled with.
Meanwhile, the likes of Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Yoane Wissa have struggled with injuries, leaving them short of players in key positions, adding to their early-season issues.
The combination of a number of key injuries and the hangover from a difficult summer window are believed to be the causes of their poor form, rather than Howe’s management.
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