- Newcastle United suffer yet another Premier League defeat
- Fans frustrations with Eddie Howe grow
- Paul Merson provides a warning to the Toon Army
Under Eddie Howe, the days at Newcastle United have been quite peachy. From building a team of top rated players, to qualifying for Europe, to winning a major trophy. However, life on Tyneside has gone downhill this year.
The Magpies have suffered several losses this season, which has left them in 14th, and still not mathematically safe from relegation, causing a lot of concern for the future of Eddie Howe.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has warned the Toon Army of turning on their English manager, because if he is sacked, there will be big jobs waiting in the wings.
Speaking after full time on Saturday, he said: “Be careful Newcastle. Chelsea would take him all day long. He’d be the next England manager Manchester United. Everyone would be queuing up to take Eddie Howe.”
Paul Merson backs Eddie Howe
The side’s recent run of torrid form has cast doubt onto the future of Eddie Howe at St James’ Park.
Wins over Manchester United and Chelsea in March gave him so much breathing room, but a heavy defeat to Barcelona, dropping a lead to Crystal Palace and allowing Sunderland to do the double over them have turned things on their head.
While only a few expected something at the Emirates this weekend, it feels like another nail in the coffin for Howe.
Merson feels that despite the poor campaign, there are aspects of the season which have gone against the English manager and are completely out of his control.F
He said: “He’s had injuries, and (Alexander) Isak was a top player for them. These two (Yoane Wissa & Nick Woltemade) have come in and haven’t fulfilled it.”
The new summer signings haven’t been able to deliver the numbers that the Swede was managing in Black and White, but it’s harsh to blame all their issues on their strikers.
Experienced players haven’t stepped up to the plate this year, which has resulted in the Tyneside outfit slipping down the table.
Newcastle United could seek change this summer
There is no rewriting what Howe has been able to achieve at Newcastle. At a period in time when the elite clubs have near-unlimited budgets, to succeed as he has is an amazing feat.
However, pundits like Merson are looking at it from the past rather than what is in front of their eyes, which is a good team not working well as a team and constantly dropping points.
If it were individuals, the finger could be pointed at players, but when it’s a collective issue, the manager must take the brunt of the fall.
Eventually, every manager’s reign comes to an end, and this summer could be a perfect time to call an end to a strong relationship, before things truly turn sour.
In other news, Bayern Munich issue Anthony Gordon statement amid £75m Newcastle United transfer links.
