Howe 'looking forward' to summit - and 'mitigations' must be considered

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Matfen Hall is a little different to St James' Park.

But it is here - away from prying eyes - where Newcastle United's owners and executives are convening this week to plot the club's future.

The build-up to this latest summit has garnered plenty of attention, but senior figures have repeatedly stressed the annual get-together is not out of the norm.

It has always been looked upon as an opportunity for those at the top to discuss infrastructure projects and recruitment plans.

This time, it has also been regarded as a timely occasion to talk about Newcastle's slide to 14th place in the Premier League and how the club will go about bouncing back.

Rather than reacting emotionally, the view internally remains that Newcastle need to respond rationally with the help of cold, thorough analysis.

So what could be on the agenda?

Eddie Howe is among the leading figures who will give his perspective, with his future coming under increased scrutiny following a bruising run of nine defeats in 12 league games.

He has admitted this year's summit will be "slightly harder", but stressed he is looking forward to the rare opportunity to address chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and minority owner Jamie Reuben in person.

"I'm sure there will be conversations on the team and how we have performed," he said. "I sort of welcome that, to a degree."

This campaign has been his most testing yet, which is saying something. Only relegated Burnley and Wolves have lost more Premier League games than Newcastle.

There is some mitigation, though.

Newcastle have played 54 matches, which is uncharted territory. Their already-drained side has been knocked back by injuries to influential players at key moments.