‘I take’ - Eddie Howe gives 35-word direct message to concerned Newcastle United supporters
A despondent Eddie Howe spoke to the media at the full-time whistle as Newcastle United lost to Brentford.
Eddie Howe has taken full responsibility for Newcastle United’s dismal start to the Premier League season.
Another comeback defeat in the capital leaves the Magpies sitting just two points above the Premier League relegation zone. Newcastle took the lead through Harvey Barnes on 27 minutes but did little to justify a half-time advantage.
In the second half, Brentford’s pressure proved too much as a Igor Thiago brace and one from Kevin Schade turned the game on its head. Howe’s woes were compounded by a red card to Dan Burn, who gave the Magpies an uphill task with a clumsy foul on Thiago for the penalty.
Eddie Howe message to Newcastle United fans
When asked to give a message to the travelling Toon supporters, Howe said: “My message is that we know it's not good enough and I take full responsibility for that. And the work to put that right starts now. That's all I can do in this moment.”
Newcastle United experienced heads
Howe was also asked whether any of the experienced heads in the dressing room spoke up at full-time. Instead, he preferred to voice his opinion during Newcastle’s post-match debrief.
“We've got an experienced team and occasionally those players may speak,” Howe added. “But I think it was important for me to speak and give my message to the team. In times of adversity and difficulty, I think it's when your true character is tested and when your true character is revealed.
“And I think we need to be very calm, but we need to be measured and we need to be reflective. We need to then come out of this period with a way forward and a way that we're going to be successful away from home and at home and get some more points.”
‘Lacking in confidence’ - Eddie Howe
“It was clear, for me, if you watch Newcastle regularly, we were lacking in confidence today. There were a lot of technical mistakes, which is really unlike us, especially in the middle of the pitch where we're usually really fluent.
“That contributed then to putting us under pressure. So I think a different feeling to West Ham, different emotions. It's really important today that I support the players and we know we're good players. We know we've got a really good team, but we just need to stay grouped together in this difficult period.”