After Newcastle’s 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest, manager Howe has informed his players that changes may be made in January.
The players who have advanced Newcastle United into the Champions League have received a warning from Eddie Howe that they are in danger if the team’s performance continues to deteriorate.
After a disastrous December, Newcastle’s ambitions of finishing in the top four have significantly diminished as they have lost six of their past seven games.
With three of the top four spots and an FA Cup trip to their bitterest rivals, Sunderland, ahead of them, January is now a critical month for the team. Howe is also searching for reinforcements during a transfer window.
The Newcastle manager acknowledges that the team feels “uncomfortable” despite the fact that he is not in direct danger from a supportive administration. After the loss, he informed his players that although things could be fixed on the training field—Newcastle’s schedule has been harsh and hasn’t allowed for much time for preparation—changes might be done.
“I’m willing to make whatever adjustments that I believe would improve the performance or the outcome, and participants are ultimately responsible for their own performance. You have to work for everything you gain from the game; there is never enough credit in the bank.”
“I’m a firm believer in that so players know they have to perform and we have to change our short-term form for sure.”
It was only a second home defeat in the Premier League and Howe said his team were “slightly off it”. He pledged to remain calm in the face of flatlining form.
“Whenever you lose games it’s an uncomfortable feeling for you, whenever your team’s not at its peak,” he added.
“We have to remain reflective and we have to make the right decisions for the team in the next few days.”
Kieran Trippier is typical of the team’s travails; so dependable before his recent slump in form. He told Amazon Prime after the game that he had been “nowhere near” his own high standards.
“We have been playing two games a week, week after week and some players aren’t used to that. My standards have dropped,” he said.
“I’m old enough to speak about myself and my standards have been nowhere near. I’ve faced enough setbacks in my career to know I can bounce back.”
