The last thing Newcastle United want right now is a trip to Sunderland in the FA Cup, but that is exactly what they have got.
The Magpies are enduring a really poor run of form, and suffered a third consecutive Premier League defeat on New Year’s Day as they lost 4-2 to Liverpool.
To make matters worse, Newcastle’s January is extremely tough. Next up in the league is Manchester City at home then a trip to Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe could not have asked for tougher fixtures, but the one that he is focussing on right now is Sunderland in the FA Cup.
For the first time since 2016, there is going to be a Tyne-Wear derby this weekend. Newcastle are facing Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup, at a time when the Magpies are seriously struggling.
It has led to outsiders questioning Eddie Howe’s future, even though everyone on Tyneside is backing the manager – including the ownership.
However, Jamie Carragher believes the mood might shift if Newcastle lose the derby on Saturday.
Jamie Carragher worries about Eddie Howe’s future if Newcastle lose against Sunderland
Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Liverpool on Monday night, Carragher admitted on Sky Sports Premier League that he thinks some fans could turn against Howe if he were to fall short in the derby on Saturday.
“I think if he was to lose that game and this run continues then a section of the supporters might turn against him,” he said.
“Newcastle’s record against Sunderland, since 2011, they have won six out of seven. So that is a big game for Eddie Howe. That is a game Newcastle cannot afford to lose, he has to go there with his best team.
“City at home is a tough game, Aston Villa have the best home record in the Premier League, so those Premier League games could go wrong but I think that the Newcastle fans can, not accept losing those games, but the Newcastle fans know tonight is going to be a tough game.
“But that one [Sunderland] is the one where the crowd could turn and right now I think Eddie Howe has most those supporters in the palm of his hand.”
Eddie Howe will have the support of many Newcastle fans no matter what
It feels like everyone outside of Newcastle is just waiting for the Toon Army to turn on Howe. This is what they thought would happen fairly quickly into his tenure at St James’ Park, but he has managed to defy expectations.
The past month has been incredibly difficult for Howe. Questions have been asked of him for the first time at Newcastle United, but the support has always remained. The context surrounding this poor run of form is everything, and it is why Toon fans continue to back the manager – and rightly so.
People begging for Howe to be under pressure have clearly not been paying attention to how the owners operate or how good a job the 46-year-old has been doing.
He will silence a lot of doubters if his side beat Sunderland on Saturday. It would be a result that could breath new life into a stuttering season.
But is Carragher right – will some fans begin to turn on Howe if Newcastle lose to Sunderland? It is difficult to say. I would like to think not, and he will still have my unwavering support no matter what the result is.
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