NEWCASTLE’S Saudi owners are in a hurry for world domination – and Eddie Howe has it all to prove that he can be their Sir Alex Ferguson.
Co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi has claimed Howe can be their Fergie but Toon boss Howe now just has a battle on to stop the nearly-man tag sticking.
Newcastle’s season is in danger of falling apart after being dumped out of Europe by AC Milan on Wednesday.
Injuries, fatigue and Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban all carry weight as excuses but, rightly or wrongly, Howe has it all to do to show his ruthlessly ambitious paymasters that he can take them to the next level.
As harsh as that sounds given what he has achieved on Tyneside, football is ruthless and waits for nobody.
Newcastle have made a habit of riding storms under Howe yet there are potential banana skins everywhere you look on the horizon.
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The first one comes from in-form Fulham at home on Saturday – and you can guarantee the Toon Army won’t be clapping their side off like they did after Milan on Wednesday if the Cottagers make it four straight defeats.
Howe knows the pressure is unrelenting, insisting “I don’t want a hangover” from their early exit from the Champions League party.
Yet there are still reasons for positivity with a trip to Chelsea on Tuesday and a golden chance to reach a Carabao Cup semi-final for the second season on the bounce having suffered further heartbreak in the final to Manchester United in February.
Lose that, however, and it could be a much darker January on Tyneside than usual.
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On there being doubts over whether the Saudis will show patience if Newcastle’s poor form continues, returning defender Dan Burn said: “I don’t agree if people are saying that.
“If you have a bit of perspective on how far we’ve come in a short space of time, we’ve gone very well.
“Internally we don’t panic, we believe in the gaffer’s philosophy.
“We understand we’re going through a tough period but the season is not over.
“We have fewer games after Christmas now which could help. We’re still in the League Cup and we’d love to go one better and win it this year.
“We’ve bounced back before and we’ll do it again.”
Finishing bottom of the ‘Group of Death’ is no embarrassment – they provided a night for the ages in demolishing PSG at home before a shocking last-minute penalty denied them a famous win in Paris.
But the Geordies, seven points off fourth in the Prem, have to pick themselves up off the canvas to make sure there is no nightmare before Christmas.
And even if they get through the festive fixtures – with Luton and Nottingham Forest also to come – all roads lead to a potentially defining January on and off the pitch.
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If Liverpool away and the visit of Manchester City to kick off 2024 isn’t bad enough, how about the small matter of mortal enemies Sunderland in the FA Cup sandwiched in between.
Howe needs to go into the derby under serious pressure like a hole in the head.
Yet there is no doubt he will be the man to spend the cash in January.
Howe revealed recently that Newcastle did not plan to spend in the transfer window up until £55million summer signing Tonali was suspended until next season for betting breaches.
With no more Europe, and the treatment room starting to empty at last – though key men Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon hobbled off against Milan – there is no need for anything drastic as they chase a Champions League spot.
But back-up keeper Martin Dubravka has flopped since replacing the injured Nick Pope, and Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips remains a top target to plug the midfield gap.
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Three straight defeats, and five in their last eight, does not leave Howe in any immediate danger.
Yet while the Saudi billions ensure Newcastle’s time in Europe will come again, he needs to bring that feel-good factor back quickly to ensure he’s still at the helm.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
