Newcastle 2-3 Brentford: How much pressure is Howe really under?

This estimate should not come as a surprise.

This is the manager who ended Newcastle’s seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy less than a year ago, and who led his side to Champions League qualification in 2025 and 2023.

Which is why Howe received immediate respect from chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson when they were finally appointed earlier this season.

The pair quickly established a rapport with Howe, speaking frequently about the importance of getting along behind the scenes at a time when there was very public unrest at clubs elsewhere.

There was a degree of understanding that this side was in transition after a turbulent summer.

There is also an acknowledgment behind the scenes that Howe has not had much time to train with his players, and has had to deal with fatigue and injuries during a relentless schedule this season, a relatively new phenomenon for Newcastle.

Newcastle has a strong chance of reaching the round of 16 in the Champions League, and has a match in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa next week, but this season is disintegrating. fast.

No team has lost more points from winning positions in the league than Newcastle (19).

Howe’s side have won just three away matches in all competitions this season, losing three of their last four at St James’ Park.

They are as close to the relegation zone as they are in the top five.

Such statistics became even more damning in the week that Hopkinson doubled down on his assertion that Newcastle will be competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.

Howe certainly doesn’t need reminding that he needs to make a turnaround sooner rather than later.

He said: “I have to work better, put in more effort and take full responsibility for everything I see on the field.”

“I have to find solutions. That’s what I have to do and it’s the same for the players.

“I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best form and judge how we are playing against that now in this current moment.

“I don’t think there are many people who can say they are giving their best, and that gives us growth and improvement.”