Newcastle United sit in a lowly 14th place, with Eddie Howe fighting to avoid his lowest finish as Toon boss let alone clinching a European spot
Eddie Howe has sent a message to the Newcastle United fans in the away end at Selhurst Park yesterday.
The head coach and his players made their way over to the 2,800 fans who’d made the long journey to South London for a 2pm Sunday game. And while the vast majority stayed, one fan told Chronicle Live that some voted with their feet and headed for an early exit.
Howe did his best to absorb the reaction from the hardcore fans who travelled to Palace but can’t ignore the increasing volume of noise coming from some fans who have lost a little faith in him.
Howe told Chronicle Live: “I thought the away supporters were really good with the team today. Yes, I understand that there is anger and frustration, and I’m not blind to anything.
“But I think the majority stayed. I think they can see that the team is trying.
“I don’t think there is a lack of effort but obviously we are not performing as we want to perform.”
The 2-1 defeat leaves Newcastle in 14th place in the Premier League with Howe now battling to avoid his lowest finish as boss let alone haul the team back into Europe.
When asked where the defeat left that European dream, Howe said: “I don’t know. That’s the furthest thing from my thoughts at the moment.
“Delivering for our supporters is definitely number one on our priority list, always. We want to do the supporters justice because they travel across the country to watch and support us. They are very loyal and we are letting them down at the moment.”
Despite going 1-0 up through William Osula in the first half, Palace battled back to win it thanks to super sub Jean-Philippe Mateta who netted a brace.
The Toon head coach said: “I thought we were in total control with 60 minutes gone, but their substitutes made a difference. Jean-Philippe Mateta, in particular, proved a difficult customer for us to deal with. The defeat is harsh on us because we controlled the majority of the first half and phases of the second half.
“It’s becoming difficult for us with how things are going for us, especially when protecting a lead. The goal we conceded at the end is really poor from our perspective.”
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