Eddie Howe is under pressure as Newcastle United manager, but Shay Given has confidence that he can finish the season strongly.
There is a fresh spotlight on Eddie Howe after the Magpies’ FA Cup exit on Saturday. Newcastle United are going another year without a trophy, and some are saying that this season is as good as over.
That is despite the fact that Newcastle have 10 Premier League games left. And, in the words of Bruno Guimaraes, they have 10 games to save their season.
Saving the season means qualifying for Europe, and that will be possible if we finish seventh. It could also be possible if we finish eighth, depending on who wins the FA Cup.
The Magpies need to get back into Europe, otherwise they might have to sell big names like Bruno and Alexander Isak. That puts Howe under a lot of pressure to deliver, and former Toon goalkeeper Shay Given has confidence that Newcastle can end the campaign strongly.
Shay Given thinks Newcastle will finish Premier League season ‘strongly’
Given has been speaking about Newcastle’s season on 5 Live Sport’s Monday Night Club, as they prepare for what could be a defining 10 games.
“It’s been inconsistent and different,” he said.
“The Champions League and FA Cup are parked to one side now, the League Cup has gone, so basically it’s the Premier League.
“Again, I think Eddie is a brilliant coach. He really works well with the players. He has improved the players.
“And I think he has a week building up to a Premier League game to work the players on the training ground and I do feel they will finish the season strongly. Will that be strong enough to finish the season strongly enough to finish in the European spaces? I don’t know. But I do feel he should be given more time.”
European football is a necessity for Newcastle and Eddie Howe
It is absolutely vital that Newcastle qualify for Europe. Whether it is the Europa or Conference League, the Magpies just need to be in it.
There was always going to be a regression this season after the highs of last year, but missing out on Europe could be a disaster. It would lead to major names leaving, while it would also limit our spending capacity and pulling power.
For Eddie Howe, he needs to finish in the top eight. The fans are completely behind him, but there is no doubt that he is under pressure. PIF want to go to the top, and missing out on Europe this year could be deemed too big a bump in the road.
But Given thinks Howe should be given more time, and I agree. He is the right man for the job, and I have every faith that he will get us back into Europe this season.
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