Eddie Howe: Newcastle head coach admits he is not doing his job well enough at St James' Park after defeat to Brentford
Newcastle's 3-2 loss to Brentford means the Magpies are on a run of one win in eight in all competitions; Eddie Howe: "I'm obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment. I don't think there are too many [players] who can say they are playing their best
Saturday 7 February 2026 21:20, UK
Eddie Howe has admitted he is "not doing my job well enough at the moment" as the pressure on the Newcastle head coach mounted after a 3-2 defeat to Brentford.
The Magpies threw away a 1-0 lead to twice fall behind against the Bees, as Newcastle's torrid form extended to a run of just one win in eight matches in all competitions.
In a week where Newcastle lost their defence of the Carabao Cup, Howe's side are now 10 points behind fifth place in the Premier League - which is expected to be the final Champions League qualification spot - with 13 games to go.
- Newcastle 2-3 Brentford - report & highlights
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
Newcastle are just as close to the relegation zone as they are to Champions League qualification - and the St James' Park fans booed off their own team at both half-time and full-time.
"I always feel under pressure. It's irrelevant to me, the type of pressure," said Howe in his post-match press conference.
"When you're in this job, you're always in that moment: whether it's pressure to win, or to turn around results. We're very much in that [second] feeling.
"I always say the pressure I put on myself could not be more extreme. I demand really high standards from what I am doing and how I work, and what I ask the players to do.
"I'm obviously not doing my job well enough at the moment.
"I'm annoyed with myself, angry with myself, blaming myself, taking full accountability on my shoulders. No one else."
Howe: Not many Newcastle players are playing at their best
While Howe said that, the Newcastle head coach also admitted that only a few of his players can say they are "playing at their best" right now, amid a slump in form.
"There's a harsh reality for me," Howe said. "I think I have to think long and hard about - not my effort, because I can't question that - but I have to work better, do more. I have to take responsibility for everything you see on the pitch. I have got to work out solutions.
"I also of course have to ask the same of the players. I have to ask them to be really honest and look at their best levels, and judge them against that now in this current moment.
"I don't think there are too many who can say they are playing their best. That then gives us growth to improve."
Asked if he is concerned about the boos from his own supporters, Howe replied: "If we perform, the crowd will back us. They will be with us every step of the way.
"I have no issue with their reaction today. They are reacting to what we deliver. I don't see that being a problem. Of course we have to turn that around with our performances."
Trippier: Form has nothing to do with Howe
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier also admitted the players have to do better - and said the club's poor form has nothing to do with Howe.
"First of all, I want to say it's nothing about the manager," he told Sky Sports. "We take responsibility for the performances.
"The manager puts the plan out, we try and execute it. I'm not going down that route about the manager.
"It's us players that need to take responsibility on the pitch. Now, we have to regroup. Put performances in for ourselves, the fans and the manager most importantly."
Analysis: If Howe can't fix it, this could get ugly
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:
The boos that rang around St James' Park were angry and pointed. Newcastle fans expect better than this.
Eddie Howe was keen to accept that - but also provide mitigating circumstances. Five injured players are out in Joelinton, Fabian Schar, Tino Livarmento, Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon. There is also a hectic fixture list which is not holding up, while simple mistakes are being punished.
The excuses have been there all season for Newcastle. A lack of attacking fluency could go date back to Alexander Isak's transfer saga - that set the club back in their pre-season preparations. Newcastle now don't know who their No 9 is out of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, perhaps Isak's transfer drama is finally catching up with them.
But there are also circumstances that Howe can control. Newcastle have conceded 15 goals in their last five games - even though defence is an area the club actually strengthened in last summer.
Everything that made Howe's Newcastle hard to beat is drifting away. And that tough fixture list, it's hotting up. Up next are four testing away games in Spurs, Aston Villa, Qarabag and Man City. If Howe can't find a solution to this slump, this could get ugly.
Newcastle's next 10 fixtures
February 10: Tottenham (A), Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm
February 14: Aston Villa (A), FA Cup fourth round, kick-off 5.45pm
February 18: Qarabag (A), Champions League play-off first leg, kick-off 5.45pm
February 21: Man City (A), Premier League, kick-off 8pm
February 24: Qarabag (H), Champions League play-off second leg, kick-off 8pm
February 28: Everton (H), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
March 4: Man Utd (H), Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm
March 7: Possible FA Cup fifth round tie
March 14: Chelsea (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 5.30pm
March 22: Sunderland (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 12 noon
