Eddie Howe saved Newcastle from relegation after coming in early November back in 2021 with Newcastle second bottom of the Premier League.
Howe revived the side, after bringing in five new players in January 2022, and we ended up finishing in 11th pace on 49 points.
Last season was unbelievable, with Newcastle finishing in 4th place on 71 points and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Last season we also reached the Carabao Cup final but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United at Wembley.
But the strain of 2 games a week this season, coupled with far too many injuries to some of our star players, has put a spanner in the works, so to speak.
We reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last Saturday, but Newcastle are struggling in 10th place in the league and we are currently out of a European slot for next season.
Premier League Table 2023-2024
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tottenham | 38 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 66 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 63 |
| 7 | Newcastle | 38 | 18 | 14 | 6 | 23 | 60 |
| 8 | Man United | 38 | 18 | 14 | 6 | -1 | 60 |
| 9 | West Ham | 38 | 14 | 13 | 10 | -14 | 52 |
Alan Shearer backs Eddie Howe to put things right, and this is what the Newcastle icon has said on BBC Radio One:
“This season has been tough for Newcastle, but there have been mitigating circumstances, the injuries, especially to Nick Pope and Joelinton,”
“They miss both of those a lot.”
“Eddie Howe still has plenty of credit in the bank.”
“Whatever happens this season, whether they finish mid-table or qualify for Europe, Eddie Howe will be Newcastle’s manager next season.”
We agree with Alan’s reasoning, but next season will have to be (a lot) better than this season.
And that will be helped if Newcastle either don’t qualify for Europe or we do qualify in the easier Europa League or Europa Conference, but that still means 2 games a week, especially in the first half of the season.
What do you think about this?
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224 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:55 AM
Comment #201Hibbit,
I know, I was only jesting 😀
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:58 AM
Comment #202magscar,
Absolutely and point(s) taking. Yes I have issues with lesh and Munster. But they have not insulted me with derogatory comments about my amazing Mam, wife and kid, where the troll most definitely has…
As I’ve been in the forces it says that I have done disgusting things to dead bodies and children I shall not go into as it’s disgusting and has no place in society…The things it has said on here has been the absolute worst I’ve ever read or heard. It’s safe to say if I met Munster or lesh away from here I’d have no issue with buying either of them a pint as it’s just a football blog at the end of the day, the troll on the other hand. I think you can work out for yourself that I wouldn’t buy it a pint, it would be the polar opposite. Unfortunately, we have to live with this abomination of a so called human being as poor Dr Ed doesn’t have the will or time to keep banning this monster. We have been given the opportunity to police it ourselves and of course we will have spats, however this disgusting low life troll needs ignored as it cannot be banned as communication with it must be out of bounds for anyone that has morals.
Apologies all, needed to be reminded what we have amongst us and what we need to do going forward. Back to NUFC and football, and work for me…
HWTL
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 8:58 AM
Comment #203Jail
BTW wasn’t referring to CH but yourself as regards feeling castigated following your earlier comment (just caught post 188)
Have to say that I was struck on returning by both the avatar and moniker which i found unnecessary but then again I never liked Clints moniker but he was a good poster
As well as the accused there are a number of others making a mockery of Eds Blog and his rules maybe not so bad as what you are all referring to but worth some posters taking a look at themselves
As you know I’m an old hand at this and we have sparred in past but you are an NUFC fan with his heart in the right place
It’s a pity as Eds Blog enters it’s final year(s) that everyone can’t show him respect and abide by his wishes
lesh
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Comment #204Fenham
You’ve started early? After what you’ve had to say about me and others, I don’t know how you’ve got the temerity to start your goading
CH – take note!
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:01 AM
Comment #205Fenham
From what you say those comments are totally out of order whatever the context
Catch you later
Hibbit
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Comment #206Jail did Clint go over the road or did he just leave always liked his posts ?
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:06 AM
Comment #207The Hague For Jelly Belly
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Comment #208Less
Hi
Long time no chat
Maybe try to let sleeping dogs lie ?
You and Munster are also old hands and for Ed maybe you could turn the other cheek
Perhaps your adversaries and other regular sparring partners would reciprocate as well and allow Blog to end (when it does) in some kind of grace and harmony
Most if not all would be civil to each other face to face even if not liking the other
Disagree agreeably 🙂
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Comment #209Magscar and anyone else not aware
If you didnt already know Fenham is a raci*t and he has admitted it himself. He is also a thug with his threatening behaviour. He has openly clapped and cheered the genocide in Gaza. Imagine cheering the death of nearly 40 to 50 000 people mainly women and children and babies.
Fat Basta*d
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:18 AM
Comment #210When someone has to openly and frequently tell people that “theyre decent” “theyre the good guys” ask yourself why Fatty Fenham always has to say that on this blog?
What was that saying about the devils greatest trick?
Always be wary about ppl like that.
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:24 AM
Comment #211FB
It seems you stand accused of quite a lot of crap behaviour and whilst I’ve not witnessed it – those doing the accusing are all posters I’ve had long dealings with and can do no other but take their word
I don’t know if you started or overreacted but it’s of no consequence as if you’ve made the statements you are totally out of order
I don’t know if sincere apologies would be accepted or whether you care to make them anyway but if you care anything about this platform you use and the man in his terminal illness providing it for us you would know that it is the right thing to do
May be insufficient in the eyes of those who have suffered abuse but it should be made regardless unless of course you take pleasure in it all ?
Sad if you do because you can make salient points without stirring or insulting as I’ve found but maybe it’s a means to a more negative end?
Anyway I’ve no choice but to heed the comments from a lot of decent posters that I have shared many hours and days on here with (some in differences of opinion)
If you’re what they say you are then of course this doesn’t matter and you can have a chuckle and chalk one up on the board but I’m old fashioned and polite enough to let you know my view rather than just simply ignoring you
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:24 AM
Comment #212I think everyone on here knows who is the true bad guy.
Fenham to Chalfont
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Comment #213My above comment wasn’t in response to yours magscar. We posted at the same time, it was in response to the vile creature.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:28 AM
Comment #214Hibbit,
He did indeed, disappeared for a bit but returned.
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:33 AM
Comment #215FB
I am not necessarily a fan of Fenhams views outside of football and stay clear of them
There are others on here who post what i and others see as right wing comments but none seem to have gone to the extent that you are accused of
I have views on Gaza but stay well clear of getting into discussions or rows on here
If you can’t change people’s views on Eddie forget any chance of compromise on politics or the problems in the world as they are entrenched
Seriously if you have got into a fight that you hadn’t intended then went over the top yet do care about the Blog try and make reparations and mend fences – for Ed if not you
Munster Mag
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:35 AM
Comment #216Fenners, reality is, is that we would have more than one pint. If we both had a bit of give and take. You’d find I’m very fond of Brits, and obviously mad about Geordies. I don’t take shit but I’m very fair. I’m also as mad a Toon fan as any of us saddos 🙂
On that basis if you ever go to dublin or Shannon,let me know, and I will buy you a beer
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Comment #217Right as FB gate has quietened down I’ll get on with my morning 🙂
Later maybe
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:05 AM
Comment #218Ballot is open for Spurs btw
Toon Irish
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:12 AM
Comment #219Fenham the fool the snake.
U come on here calling people out and what sort of people they are.REALLY.let me remind the blog what u done on here 2 Sundays ago.u came on here and stuck up for a convicted RAPIST.thats the sort of person u are SICK.something the troll would b at and into.ohh wait has the masked finally came of.FENHAM IS THE TROLL.
Rotonda heights
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:21 AM
Comment #220FTC
I see you’ve lumped me in with the list of people who have the knives out for Eddie. I freely admit I have my frustrations with certain things and it annoys me that people always go on about injuries and yet never ever question why we get so many, both here and at B’mouth when the answer is so painfully obvious.
Equally why getting 14 points from 14 games hasn’t prompted any system or personnel changes. If we are losing points on such a regular basis and conceding so much space between the defence and midfield every match (Wolves apart) then surely we as fans have the right to question it. Imagine if this run was under Bruce people would be up in arms.
Even with injuries we’ve still been able to field more than decent teams against sides costing a fraction of our still available players. My fear is that missing out on Europe will expedite the departures of Isak and Bruno and possibly others. That’s just a fact no matter how much people don’t want to hear it.
Do I want Eddie out ? No. Do I think he can get us back into Europe consistently and win trophies as a next level manager? Honestly, I have my doubts. However, I would love to be proved wrong.
Adamn_92
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:38 AM
Comment #221RH
I think it’s definitely fair to ask some questions when we’ve had some players back and managed to field strong sides. However, I also think it’s not just the injuries, but the impact of those on other players, as they’ve had to play more so mentally and physically more fatigued.
I mentioned yesterday, but I think it’s the confidence and morale which is the bigger issue at the moment. Not the fitness and injuries, although that was more of a problem earlier in the season, obviously.
Had so many things go wrong this season, some out of our control (PSG robbery, inidivdual errors at last minute etc) that have demoralised the squad heavily. Which I think is hard to recover from when you get hit with one after another.
I’m not conviced Isak and Bruno etc will look to leave if we don’t have Europe. Both joined when Europe wasn’t guarantee’d. Bruno left a team regularly in Europe to join one almost certain for relegation. Isak left a team regularly in Champions League to join one which wasn’t certain to qualify for it. I don’t think any current player will see this season as a reason to want out.
lesh
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:46 AM
Comment #222Magscar
As you’ve played your diplomatic hand so well, maybe you could have a word in some ears, or even knock some heads together among those involved in the Gaza crisis and hope they put an end to the carnage.
Apart from that, have a restful day.
😉
magicmac54
Mar 19, 2024 at 10:46 AM
Comment #223Morning All
WOW I didn`t realise Coming Home was an Notts Forest fan 😀 😀 😀
https://youtube.com/shorts/I1kkttyGkMU?si=gi2SRadh6LDZQgr0
magscar
Mar 19, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Comment #224Rotonda
It’s fine to question Eddie and the injuries etc
In fact I hope others have done so and drawn their own conclusions – I have
What is the major difference between last season and this
On the wider issue Liverpool and Spurs have as was likely to be the case improved on what were as poor seasons as we are having but without the extra pressure of CL. Villa have recruited well and no key injuries but the wheels have come off for them at times – Emery isn’t good enough?
So called top 6 recruited well on top of already good squads as did we but what have we seen from our recruitment?
The major ones Tonali and Barnes have barely figured because of a ban and injuries
On top of that we’ve had other long
term key injuries not because of how we train or play but largely freak ones
Now we all surely knew that last season welcome as it was had been an overachievement and to go into this season competing on 4 fronts we simply had to have reinforcements to stand still nevermind progress
The problem we have with injuries (which would have severely impaired us last season if we’d suffered the same) is that we’re operating on a hybrid squad still
It’s made up of rejuvenated flops under Bruce without any strength in Academy to call on as that also needed complete overhaul. Eddie has been trying to bring in round pegs for round holes in terms of the system he wanted to progress us to
It had worked the previous season because we were fortunate with level.of injury and other clubs massively underachieving
You can bring on fresh legs to see games out buy dome of those players are simply not as effective as regular first choices
What happened this seadon is when we have key injuries like Botman, Willock, Pope ,Joelinton Isak and others yes we can bring in a replacement but not like for like in terms of the system which was a success
So some argue that we should change system but the reality of that when you’re shorn of such key players is you resort to low block and use squad like Rafa did and Bruce (not so well)
Until we get to a balanced squad not made up of some willing triers but more and more elite players and quality from Academy then injuries will cost us severely
I don’t care what team, Liverpool or Luton or whatever system you play 433 4241 or the W formation injuries at the level we have suffered will have an impact which make it difficult to produce good performances every week
Other teams have exploited the situation and OK Eddie has struggled to find a consistent formula with what he has left
He has no doubt got some things wrong but I believe in the longer term he will learn from them
So in my view a season like last season without longterm absences and we are in top 6 and still in at least one cup or win one
Others conclude that Eddie isn’t good enough to have done better with the poor hand he was dealt
I can see that argument but don’t share it but maybe because I’ve always been a glass half full kind of guy and not some great analyser of the game – it’s possible 😉