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“I’m not doing my job well enough” – Eddie Howe reflects after Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford

“I’m not doing my job well enough” – Eddie Howe reflects after Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday evening.

Sven Botman put the hosts ahead on 24 minutes, though Vitaly Janelt got Brentford level shortly after, then a penalty from Igor Thiago put the Bees ahead just before half time.

Bruno Guimaraes netted his penalty to have Newcastle ahead on 79 minutes, then Dango Ouattara’s 85th minute winner saw Brentford record first victory at St James’ Park since 1934. Both halves ended with boos from the home fans.

The result sees Keith Andrews’ side move up to 7th in the Premier League table, with 39 points from 25 games played, the Magpies however are down to 12th after just one win in eight in all competitions.

Howe, who conducted a lengthy dressing room inquest, said, per The Guardian: “I don’t blame the supporters for expressing their feelings but it’s hard to hear,.

“I’ve got no issue with their reaction. We’ve had a run of games where we haven’t played as well as we can and got punished. There’s nothing else to do but accept responsibility for it.

“It’s not good enough and it’s been out of character. There were certain moments tonight when we didn’t defend anywhere near well enough, either individually or collectively. We only have ourselves to blame. Accepting that is the only way to improve.”

“There’s a harsh reality for me. I’ve got to think long and hard, not about my effort because I can’t question that about myself, but I think I’ve got to work better, I’ve got to do more.

“I’ve always said the pressure I put on myself couldn’t be more extreme because I demand really high standards and I’m obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment. I’m annoyed with myself, angry with myself and blaming myself. I’ve got to take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch and I’ve got to work out solutions.

“Then of course I have to ask the same from the players. I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best level, and judge how they’re playing against that now. I don’t think there’s too many that can say they’re playing towards their best. It’s a difficult moment for us.”

“Yes, some of our players are having to play fatigued and we’ve a lot of injuries. But we’ve got to do better. We’ve got to take full accountability. It’s a mentality issue, I don’t think it’s an ability issue. So we have to look at ourselves and show real character and strength.”

On Newcastle deteriorating after taking an early lead: “We’ve been worse for scoring and I don’t understand it,” he said. “Its a very, very difficult thing to work out because I think it’s all in the brain of maybe two or three players who sway the performance negatively.”

On a lack of Newcastle’s trademark physical aggression: “Ultimately our preferred way of playing is to go for the throat and try to control the game even sometimes off the ball with relentless pressing, with really good physical performances. But that hasn’t been there regularly enough. It only takes one or two players to be off physically for that to break down. We’re not functioning like we have done historically as a team.”

Alan Shearer said on Match of the Day that things are not good enough, but insisted that Eddie Howe was “not under pressure”.

“The signings in the summer – apart from Malick Thiaw – have not been good enough and hit anything like top form.

“They simply haven’t justified the money that was spent on them as yet and that has hindered Howe.

“Like any manager, things need to get better and they need to turn a corner, but in terms of him losing his job? Absolutely not.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted after Eddie Howe reflects after Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford…

@LukeEdwardsTele: Newcastle United fans drove Sir Bobby Robson out of the club because 5th was perceived to be a failure after 3rd and 4th the previous two season and went into decline immediately. Kevin Keegan quit, exhausted, saying he’d taken the club as far as he could. Eddie Howe has achieved more than both of them. He’s hurting now. Booed off, having to take the blame for everything that’s happened over the last two years. So, take a moment and ask, who could be better? If you can’t cut the most successful manager the club has had for 70 years some slack and give him some time to get things right… #nufc

@decka1969: I’ve supported #nufc for over 50yrs now. I’ve seen some absolute shite and some great football. These last 4 yrs under Eddie Howe have undoubtedly been the best I’ve seen at St James’.Eddie and the lads are going through a tough time atm. I will support them through it. ✊

@SavMondo: I’m a loyal type person and Eddie Howe just doesn’t annoy me anywhere as near as Steve Bruce so I’m still Howe in. He does need to sort things out though because this is abysmal.

@halliday_9: Our supporters are fucking spoilt brats. The way I’ve seen people talk about Eddie Howe is mind boggling. It’s our first real sticky moment under him, after the job he’s done too. “Loyalist football supporters the world has ever had”

@AdamP1242: Newcastle United just has to ride out the storm for now, everyone is to blame in my opinion from the ownership, recruitment, manager and down to the players. Can’t sack Eddie Howe without a realistic replacement, we aren’t getting Xabi Alonso, we aren’t getting Diego Simeone and we aren’t getting Jurgen Klopp. Club needs to plan this out during the remainder of the season ahead of the World Cup and figure out how to go forward. We have a huge project with some world class players that are devoted to the club, what we decide to do next has to be the correct long term decision ✅ #NUFC

@MarcSDuffy: I would LOVE IT if Eddie Howe turned it around. I really hope he does. But I’m really struggling to see it given the squad he’s put together.

@coxy231081: Gutted for Eddie Howe don’t like seeing him like that at all he gives everything for this club doesn’t deserve how some are treating him imo. Unfortunately once #NUFC fans turn it’s a long road back. We’ve got a habit of chasing our best manager out.

@sinicols: Not 1 fan I know wants to see Eddie feeling like he does, they all want him to do well, get results, be happy. Problem is he isnt. Hes been let down by the owners and the players for sure, but by his own admission he letting himself down… A hole hard to get out of. #nufc

@DanLang12: The best decision @NUFC owners could do right now is get Amanda and Mehrdad back in to get some stability back at this club we have no connections it all seems a mess where has @jamiereuben disappeared to? Need some decisions to be made before we end up imploding. #NUFC

@bri44life: When they left the clubs owners lost a connection to the fans a mouthpiece. Why not hire them back in some compacity.

@stevewraith: I personally think mismanagement and bad appointments by our owners starting with the departure of Amanda Staveley is the reason we find #nufc in a malaise and a decline this season. Howe looks tired and lost. The players look clueless at times and we have a new breed of supporters who aren’t used to this type of thing and don’t support. Things can get worse. Club needs to address things quickly and effectively before more damage is done. Season can still be salvaged.

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