Uncertainty over Eddie Howe’s future is killing Newcastle

Newcastle are 14th in the table having lost three games in a row - Lee Smith/Reuters

But Howe also retains the backing of a large section of the fanbase who, after four brilliant years in charge, continue to vehemently argue he deserves a chance to put things right.

As things stand, Howe’s future will be decided following an end-of-season review, in which he will give his assessment of what has gone wrong and what needs to change. The club’s board will then decide whether he keeps his job.

What once seemed sensible now feels unhelpful following three successive defeats by Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. They know what Howe has done for the club, they know he has underachieved this season. Do they trust him to continue next year?

When the Premier League resumed after the international break, Newcastle still had a good chance of securing some sort of European football again next season, but that looks beyond them now. A bottom-half finish looks a real possibility. That, by any measurement, is not good enough, so a decision on whether he keeps his job will have to be made. Everyone at Newcastle knows this, but in the meantime the season is drifting.

The players in the match against Bournemouth looked drained of confidence and failed to implement whatever the game plan was supposed to be. They do not know who their manager will be next season, either. They were a mess. Some of them want to leave in the summer, some know they are going to be replaced and some of them look incapable of performing for a team and a manager under extreme pressure.

Howe has told those close to him that he intends to stay. He has also insisted the fire inside him to turn this around burns as bright as ever.

He wants to lead what we know will be a massive summer rebuild, with a large turnover of players. At least two of their best players are likely to be sold, but there will be a clear-out of those who are no longer deemed good enough to take the club where they want to go. It will be a brutal and possibly painful process.

We do not need an end-of-season review to know this campaign has not been good enough in the league. We do not need one to tell us the team needs an overhaul or that last summer’s recruitment was a mess.

What we are waiting for is to learn what happens to Howe. If the club believes Howe remains the right man to lead the rebuild, they should remove the doubt and say so. Everyone can get their heads around what that means and adjust their emotions accordingly.

There is a board meeting in two weeks’ time when the chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, will be in attendance. A decision and an announcement can be made then.

If the board believes a change is necessary, supporters should surely be informed so they can give Howe the send-off his achievements deserve while the club begins to identify a replacement before the season ends.

What Howe needs to do to save his job

Howe has presided over happier times at St James’ Park - Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Win some of their final five games

This is the simplest argument but it is also a basic statement of fact. If Newcastle lose all their remaining games this season, he surely will not be able to continue.

Bring back Nick Pope in goal

Aaron Ramsdale does not inspire confidence in his defence, he rarely makes big saves and his positioning can be questioned for far too many goals the team concedes.

Get his first-choice midfield back on the pitch

Bruno Guimarães has returned from injury. Joelinton will miss their next match (at Arsenal) game through suspension but he will be back for the last four games. With Sandro Tonali also available, Newcastle will have their best-functioning unit back on the pitch.

Pick players who can handle pressure

Howe needs his senior players and leaders on the pitch in a difficult moment. Those are Kieran Trippier, Joelinton, Bruno, Dan Burn and Pope. Returning to the past will give him the best chance to shape the future.

Be honest about Wissa and Woltemade

Neither of them can get in the team and the £125m spent on them is ammunition to hammer Howe with. They are not playing for a reason, so explain what that reason is. Will Osula is playing and scoring, so it should not be a source of constant criticism.

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