'Only thing' - Eddie Howe's request to Newcastle United supporters after Sandro Tonali boos

Some sections of the fanbase have let their feelings known in the last two matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea when Howe has taken off Sandro Tonali near the hour-mark. Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff are the midfielders who have replaced the Italian.

Howe has said he would prefer any frustration to voiced after the game as it could negatively impact those entering the pitch.

“I think, firstly, I love the fact the supporters regard Sandro in the highest esteem as I do,” Howe explained. “That, for me, is really pleasing. The only thing I would ask is that any frustrations towards me or any decisions are reflected after the game, not in the moment. I think it’s difficult then for the players coming onto the pitch. Not that it should necessarily affect their performance, but it just does create an element of doubt.

“The difficult decision I have, especially in midfield, is that we have three outstanding players starting the game. Then, you’re losing the game and you’re trying to make changes that you feel can help us, without leaving it too late. There is always a thing in my mind where you give a player 10 minutes and they don’t really get into game and find their rhythm. It’s a delicate balance.

“To do that, you then have to take a wide player off or one of the midfield players, or both depending on how many players I bring on. I am a manager that likes to make early changes, especially if we’re chasing a game. I’ve got a history of giving the players coming onto the pitch the best opportunity to perform.

“Someone has to come off and, when you look at our team, that is a difficult decision, especially in midfield. Ultimately, I’ve judged it on goals and creativity and trying to get as many of them in the team as I can when we chase a game.”

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On the midfield balance, Howe added: “Yeah I am [happy], I don’t think it is necessarily absolutely perfect at the moment because the results will tell you it's not but when you look at the team functioning and especially in the last three performances I’d say in the main we’ve been good.

“We have been creating chances and we have been more than competitive in the games so I don’t see something drastically wrong. I think confidence now may be beginning to be an issue but of course we are always looking at things and how we can make this better.

“I think we had a few positional issues on Sunday that we will of course sit down with the players and discuss but that would ordinarily happen anyway.

Newcastle have fallen to 12th in the Premier League table having failed to win any of their last five games. But Howe’s squad have a big opportunity to lift the mood on Tyneside this week by advancing into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup and beat Arsenal on Saturday.

Howe is choosing to remain calm and hopes the fans will stick by him and the team.

He said: “Leadership is hard at any moment. I have always felt that. Perceived good moments, perceived bad moments. Swings in momentum. I think that is when you need consistency.

“I think that is what people look for in a leader. People look at how you are going to react at this moment or that. Big sways in emotion can be really negative. At this moment it is very important I back the players. Show strength, show calmness in that I believe in what we are doing. But not blindlessly carrying on if things are not working. I have to be adaptable as well. I always try to make the right decision to make the team better.

“Unity is the most important thing. I said that in the summer.It is the hardest thing when the team isn’t getting the results that we want, is to stay unified. The supporters have been incredibly good, look at them at Stamford Bridge.

“We talk about the reaction to Sandro’s substitution and I understand that, but the reaction after the game was incredible. It is not the first time they have backed us in defeat of difficult runs. It means so much to us because it gives us the best chance to fight back as quickly as possible.