Newcastle 2-3 Brentford: How much pressure is Howe really under?

Such esteem should not come as a surprise.

This is a manager who ended Newcastle’s seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy less than a year ago, and who led his side to Champions League qualification in 2025 and 2023.

It is why Howe commanded instant respect from chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson when they were finally appointed earlier this season.

The pair have quickly struck up a relationship with Howe, and have repeatedly talked about the importance of alignment behind the scenes at a time when there have been very public ructions at clubs elsewhere.

There has been a degree of an understanding that this side are in transition following a turbulent summer.

There is also a recognition behind the scenes that the incredibly hands-on Howe has not had much training time with his players, and has had to contend with fatigue and injuries during a relentless schedule this season, which is a relatively new phenomenon for Newcastle.

Newcastle have a strong chance of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, and have an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa to come next week, but this season is unravelling. Fast.

No teams have dropped more points from winning positions in the league than Newcastle (19).

Howe’s team have only won three away games in all competitions this season, and have lost three of their last four matches at St James’ Park.

They are as close to the relegation zone as they are the top five.

Such statistics are all the more damning in a week during which Hopkinson doubled down on his assertion that Newcastle would be competing for the biggest prizes by 2030.

Howe certainly needs no reminding that he needs to spark a turnaround sooner rather than later.

“I’ve got to work better, do more and take full responsibility for everything you see on the pitch,” he said.

“I’ve got to work out solutions. That’s for me to do and it’s the same for the players.

“I have to ask them to be really honest with themselves and look at their best level and judge how we are playing against that now in this current moment.

“I don’t think there’s too many who could say they’re playing towards their best so that gives us growth to improve.”