After an absolutely disastrous Sunday for Newcastle United, words of encouragement are needed as many woke up on Tyneside so frustrated by what we witnessed yesterday.
We’re out of the FA Cup after a pretty woeful 120 minutes of football at St James’ Park, but will also be without Anthony Gordon (suspended) for the Carabao Cup final – and potentially a few others as our injury woes begin to mount up at the worst possible time.
However, we have to keep faith and hope Eddie Howe can keep our season alive, with an out-of-sorts Newcastle still 90 minutes away from silverware and just two points away from the Champions League places.
One man giving his backing to the Newcastle boss is Kevin Keegan, who has issued words of encouragement in a rare public appearances.
Keegan calls for Howe backing
Toon legend Kevin Keegan has urged PIF and Newcastle United fans to “support” Eddie Howe, insisting we have a man who “really does get it.”
Despite a tricky season and a half full of ups and downs, King Kev is “convinced” Howe has the tools to take Newcastle back to the top after a 20-minute chat with the 47-year-old during an event at the Tyne Theatre in October 2023.
Speaking at a fundraiser for NSPCC at Gosforth Park hotel, Keegan said: “Where you are so lucky here now you have a guy in charge of your football club who gets it. He really does get it. You have not had that for a long time. Forget Mike Ashley he’s not worth talking about.
“But it was 10 years where this club went absolutely nowhere, but this guy now (Eddie Howe), who you’ve got, if they support him, definitely Eddie Howe, don’t give up on him… I was with Eddie Howe at the theatre, and we discussed for 20 minutes all things Newcastle United.
“From that minute on, before that I was convinced, but I was convinced that this guy (Howe) will take you where you want to go. So support him.”
Howe needs support, not sacking
It may seem odd to even mention the ‘sack’ word, but there is no doubt some sections of the fanbase will question Howe’s position if we fail to win a trophy and/or qualify for the Champions League this season.
A season with plenty of promise would be considered a failure if both opportunities in league and cup are missed. However, this is a squad that’s been allowed to go stale after a few too many inactive transfer windows.
That is on FFP and the Premier League rules that continue to hold us back. Howe has made mistakes this season and still has the chance to make it a year to remember, but, whatever happens, he should be given the chance to put things right over the summer.
A number of positions need strengthening and signings should finally arrive. The last time he was backed we finished fourth and I suspect PIF will be aware of the tough circumstances he’s had to work in over the past few seasons.
This season could end with a trophy and Champions League football, or quite possibly no silverware and no Europe. Either way, Howe deserves another crack and a chance to put things right with long overdue investment this summer.
> Either way, Howe deserves another crack and a chance to put things right with long overdue investment this summer.
Why? Because he is such a nice guy? This may be just my opinion, but I think Howe does not deserve another season because of new excuses. He was given a chance because there was an epidemic of injuries and European Cups (new experience for him), but now what excuses can there be? He is not improving. He does not have a stellar past. Where do such expectations come from?
hmd(Quote)
Perhaps, as explained in the article, because there has barely been a first team signing for three windows…
We’re in the cup final and two points off a Champions League place. I’d make a very strong case to say UCL spots would’ve been ours (and a place in the FA Cup QF) if we had a stronger squad.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Firstly, I think that Newcastle’s squad is better than Aston Villa, Chelsea (at least not worse) and especially Brighton, Bournemouth and Nottingham. Secondly, Howe is also to blame for the fact that there were no purchases for the first team in three windows. He is not demanding. He was recently compared to Fergusen. So Fergusen would have made a scandal if they had not bought him players. Because he understood that in case of failure the head of the coach (and not the sporting director) would be the first to roll.
hmd(Quote)
Really struggle to see how you think our squad is better – our best starting XI, perhaps, but we lack depth and couldn’t address that due to PSR, it seems.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
No he doesn’t we had enough of the same all, we are regressing if anything, did we need to spend £20 on a goal keeper that we will never see, Barnes and Gordon Eddie loves are not great almost £90m on players that will win you nothing, Wilson is finished but Eddie wants to keep. We made singing in the summer it was down to Eddie to spend it in what, we sold midfield players and winger we bought again goal keeper’s. We spent the whole season playing Longstaff when Tonali sat on the bench. Because Eddie think he is not ready. He does this with every new singing until his hand is forced usles to say the least. Say it again we will not win anything with Eddie.
BMlondon(Quote)