Interesting to read through these BBC Sport ‘neutrals’ comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 2-1 to Bournemouth.
Saturday afternoon’s defeat leaving United in no man’s land in the Premier League.
Bizarrely though, Newcastle United only six points off the top six with five games remaining.
Eddie Howe and his players now needing to regroup ahead of the final five matches.
Very frustrating, as even in these last three Premier League games, if Newcastle had kept their leads against Sunderland and Palace as well as seeing out even just the draw against Bournemouth, NUFC would be now sixth in the table.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, some from Crystal Palace fans, plus one or two Newcastle supporters also contributing, though predictably a serious infestation of Sunderland fans (most of them trying to pretend they are United fans…):
‘I would imagine Howe will be sacked, and that’s because Newcastle have had a bad season. However, Eddie Howe is a top manager and Newcastle will struggle to find anyone of his calibre. He should get the opportunity to remedy things, but he won’t.’
‘Well played, Bournemouth – you were the better team and deserved the win. We will lick our wounds and fight another day.’
‘One of your best players destroying the dressing room morale and whatnot.. then take his goals away and all round game in that team which obviously benefitted from having a player like Isak, as he did from having that team around him.’
‘I think the problem with Howe is his supporters have placed him far too high up, his detractors – whether genuine or trolls – too far down.
Truth is he’s somewhere in the middle. A good manager who has done wonders for the club in certain aspects, but extremely limited. Stubbornness in tactics will be his downfall anywhere.
It’s time for a change, but I wish him well for the future.’
‘Lets recognise how great bournemouth are playing stuffed arsenal and newcastle in their own backyards’
‘(Sunderland fan) I’m not sure he’d even get the Palace job his tactics are so bad and tired. Even the upper mid table teams are looking for something better than Howe tactically in a manager nowadays. I think they’re realising it’s pointless just appointing someone who won’t evolve and has failed elsewhere’
‘Your signings have been a huge let down, not sure whether your recruitment team and Howe are aligned but from the outside looking in it doesn’t appear they are.
As a Boro fan we’ve had a rubbish couple of transfer windows as well.’
‘More records for the Toon season:
It is the 19th time Newcastle have conceded in the final 15 minutes of game this season – more than any other Premier League side.’
‘But the 18th game in a row they’ve scored a goal.
Clearly the problem lies in keeping them out.’
‘I’m a neutral football expert and can confirm that after some careful analysis Sunderland are now the north east’s leading football club based on results and size and history ranking alongside the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal with Newcastle being a lesser club similar in stature to other plucky small clubs like Wolves Burnley and Spurs.’
‘The Izak issue was a club/ board problem that was handled abysmally.’
‘Of course he’ll be removed. Saudi won’t be blind to his ineptness and the fact he won’t take you to the next level.
The only people who think he should stay have no real defence for Eddie Howe other than “he’s a great manager”. And he isn’t a great manager. They are just copying soundbites from the media who never want to criticize their English darling.
He never has, or will be, a top manager.’
‘Media will probably start dropping hints that he’ll be an ideal Ingairlind Manager, once he leaves the barcodes. At least one papervwill push him, especially as he would replace Tommy T’
‘(West Ham fan) These rather stale performances aren’t too dissimilar from how it ended for Moyes at West Ham, a fresh start is definitely needed (just as long as you get the right manager after – we didn’t with Lopetegui, hopefully you will.)’
‘(Sunderland fan) It’s not drifting I think he knows it’s over once the season ends. You can tell by what he’s saying in interviews he’s likely to get the sack. 8 defeats in 11 league games now, how can he stay after that?’
‘But look at West Ham now’
‘(Sunderland fan) Araola or Glasner would do a much better job, both with proven far superior at tactics than Howe.’
‘Fluke trophy from newcastle last season and they think they’re a big club!’
‘Hardly . Last season we had the best defensive side and a midfield no one could touch . We had Isak , but he was only one player in a Team that were very solid . Too many games this season with a squad that isn’t big enough hence the injuries , a lot of which have been to influential players with lengthy spells out . Time to rebuild and strengthen and build on the excellent job Howe has done.’
‘(Sunderland fan) 8 defeats in 11 in the league now for us. Howe might not finish the season. I thought he was bad but i didn’t realise he was THIS BAD. I doubt he’d even get the Palace job. Might have to wait until Forest sacks theirs next season.’
‘Howe made a couple of rash signings due to the Isak debacle and this has been our downfall . We don’t have the squad size to play the games we have and injuries haven’t helped . Hope for improvement from Osula and Woltemade but Wissa should go , he never fitted in .’
‘Next England manager after world cup exit incoming’
‘Eddie is a class man and a manager.
maybe the players need to look at themselves and appreciate the loyalty of the Toon fans.. most of us, whichever team you support wound be grateful for a six figure salary a year , let alone a week they these players earn, sorry, get paid…’
‘The team lost at home and didn’t play particularly well.
People who’ve paid £50-£100 for a ticket or £1000 for a season ticket have every right to boo.’
‘But they were behind Newcastle throughout the match, booing came around 98th minute.’
‘Teams like Bournemouth never get enough good press.Great win away for them.They are a tough team to beat.Europe beckons.The manager may go but they will be fine as they have a good solid structure and are well run.’
‘(Sunderland fan) It’s between Wissa and Woltemade for worst ever Premier League signing. Woltemade at 70m might actually be as bad. Paid at least 20m over what he was worth
‘No isak has that by a mile.’
‘(Sunderland fan) Howe is doing some serious damage to the club now, he should go asap. If he stays more players might leave in the summer than if the players know a new manager is coming’
‘The one thing Newcastle Fans are is loyal and you could sell double those seats every week.’
‘Well played Bournemouth. Newcastle much better second half. Glad to take the points, can Europe really be possible…’
‘Love seeing the richest club in crisis Newcastle deserve everything they get Saudi’s 1 super cherries 2 well done Bournemouth great win for football and Newcastle are a disgrace.’
‘How’s the “world domination” working out for you toon fans? All I can heard is the sound of ambition crashing on the rocks of reality.’
‘Just back to our hotel by the Tyne. Superb performance again from the Cherries, we could have the best full back pairing in the league. Toon fans very magnanimous in defeat, absolute class.’
‘Hope the cherries get into Europe, well played today against the toon, anyone but the entitled six, soon to be five we hope. Eddie deserves a summer reset, but there is no sentiment in football and he does look tired. If he goes, he still one hell of a person and we will always be grateful.’
‘Newcastle fans, you lost to a team that is unbeaten in 13. A team that is a bogey side for you. A team that likes your ground. None of that is a reason to throw your manager under a bus. Before Eddie, you hadn’t won anything for 70 years. He got you in the CL. But suddenly he’s ‘out of his depth’? Seriously???? Reality check required !!!!’
‘It’s the haters from other clubs suggesting he’s out of his depth and a minority of Newcastle fans.’
‘You have to realise that about 75% of comment here are gloating mackems , not newcastle fans.’
‘Pathetic overreaction. They are a goal shy of a result in so many fixtures this season, they are not getting beaten by 3 or 4 goals on a regular basis.
Definitely fixable, I’d suggest a fit, permanent, competent striker that the manager’s willing to play would solve most of the problems.’