Newcastle United’s season has stumbled in recent weeks.
While their away record of just one win on the road in the Premier League all season has confused Eddie Howe, Newcastle were able to at least top up their points tally when it came to home games.
However, the manner of their performance during the miserable defeat to Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park on Boxing Day was worrying.
Should they lose the proud home record from which Howe has built such success, this season is at real risk of tailing off.
As such, there has been a lot of noise regarding Howe’s future.
Though PIF are believed to back their manager, there have been speculative links with the likes of Jose Mourinho.
Now, Jamie Carragher has delivered his verdict on Howe’s future.
Eddie Howe: Jamie Carragher delivers honest verdict of Newcastle manager’s future
Addressing Newcastle’s slump in his Daily Telegraph column, Carragher warned the owners against getting rid of Howe.
“At their best, Newcastle play with an energy and intensity which is simply unsustainable when playing three games a week with a squad lacking the necessary depth,” he said.
“That is a lesson for the Newcastle hierarchy too, who have so far rebuilt the club following a sensible vision.
“The thought of them even contemplating discarding the knowledge Howe has accumulated would be foolish and out of sync with every decision to this point.
“Newcastle can still salvage this season with a top-six finish, laying the foundation for further improvement.
“There is no doubt they will get back to the level of last season eventually and continue to flourish under Howe. When that happens, this season’s reality check will be looked back upon as more of a help than a hindrance.”
Eddie Howe future: January will be tough for Newcastle
A trip to Liverpool on New Year’s Day would look difficult even if Newcastle hadn’t been so poor on the road all season. The fact they have and that Jurgen Klopp’s side are unbeaten at Anfield in the League hardly makes it any easier.
Then, there’s the small matter of a trip to Sunderland. Lose that and the season would have become a disaster.
Throw in the visit of Manchester City and a journey down to high-flying Aston Villa and it all looks rather bleak right now.
Howe has earned our trust but there’s little doubting this a daunting run.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
