Newcastle United continue to frustrate manager Eddie Howe.
Thrashed at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday night, the Newcastle boss admitted his team’s increasing inability to keep goals out was a “worry”.
Indeed, the inconsistency his team has showed this season has confused Howe. Even after the morale-boosting win over Aston Villa late last month, he confirmed he had “mixed emotions”, having watched his side struggle against the so-called lesser teams this season.
After all, this is a team who have beaten the Gunners, Villa (twice), Chelsea, both Manchester clubs and Paris Saint-Germain thus far. To have then watched them drop points in more favourable games and then battered at the Emirates Stadium must be galling.
No wonder Howe was said to have looked “absolutely raging” on the sidelines.
Speaking after the game, the Toon boss opened up on his continued frustration in regard to consistency.
Newcastle news: Eddie Howe admits frustration
Speaking to beIN Sports after the game, Howe said: “It’s a difficult period for us. We’re inconsistent, you never quite know what you’re going to get, which is never a good thing from my perspective.”
Newcastle news: All eyes on the FA Cup
If Newcastle lose to Blackburn in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, the season is effectively over.
Yes, potential qualification for the Europa Conference League is on offer but even that will be difficult. While Newcastle aren’t in much of a position to turn their noses up at potential European avenues, even getting to that would be disappointing given how well last season went.
A deep run in the FA Cup would at least give Howe something positive to end this season on. There have been great moments but that lack of consistency has proven a real killer.
It is now a must-win game at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.
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