I am concerned by Eddie Howe's Newcastle United comments ahead of defining three games

Questions before the visit to West London centred around the Magpies’ ability to perform against the ‘big six’ but not turn up against those outside of that bracket. United held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 3-3 draw in midweek, the challenge was to follow that up at Brentford.

But it was challenge failed. The narrative continues. It’s no good drawing with Liverpool and Manchester City, beating the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal if you can’t do that against Fulham, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Brentford.

Speaking to Howe at his pre-match press conference, I asked if the above issue was through a lack of motivation. Howe refuted, saying it is an “easy thing to say” before concluding: “I have to make it clear, it’s certainly not through a lack of motivation or lack of desire.”

On that, you’ll maybe understand why my ears pricked up when - over 24 hours later- Howe questioned his players’ attitude following a 4-2 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium. “There was a willingness to win and a willingness to fight but I don't think it was strong enough,” said Howe.

In my opinion, the 47-year-old appeared to be shell-shocked by his side’s second-half performance. One criticism that has been aimed at Howe of late is how he has set up his teams against the likes of Brentford but he can’t legislate for individual mistakes - and Saturday was full of them.

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It’s probably unfair to say Howe didn’t get his tactical plan right in the first-half. They scored two goals and looked like the much better team, but gifted Brentford two goals. After the break, United’s attacking threat dried up and the early Christmas gifts continued.

I really do sympathize with managers having to speak to the media immediately after a game, largely because they barely get a minute to collect their thoughts. When Howe entered the press room at the Gtech, he struggled to explain the second-half performance beyond citing individual and collective errors.

Contrary to the belief of critics, Howe didn’t blame the defeat on the bad weather i.e Storm Darragh but the fact he referenced it is another example of him struggling to comprehend what unfolded.

But whether it’s Mother Nature or clangers from Fabian Schar or Harvey Barnes, Howe is the man who is ultimately responsible for results. And the overall picture is Newcastle have won just two of their last 11 Premier League games and slipped to 12th in the table.

When PSR is tight - making big-money signings unlikely - Howe must find the answers from within. In the space of a week, Newcastle host Brentford in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, either side of facing Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League. That, for me, feels like a potentially defining period.