We’ll get through this if we remain United | OneFootball

I started an article a few weeks ago when Newcastle United were on a poor run of form but life intervened and I didn’t finish it before things improved and it became less relevant.

However, after seeing some of the reaction following the lacklustre display against Palace on Wednesday and, in particular, comments relating to Sean Longstaff. I I thought it was worth revamping and submitting.

The thing that I have always noted and opposed on forums generally, is the way that some people seem obsessed with the idea of finding someone to blame when results are not favourable.

We have seen this with various players over the years, with a succession of unfortunates being designated “whipping boy”. Players, for example, like Taylor, Gouffran, Perez, Lascelles and – most recently – Longstaff.

There isn’t anything wrong, in my opinion, with people asking questions – “Why isn’t Lewis Hall playing more often”, “Why doesn’t Eddie rotate players more?”, “Could the owners have done more during the last two transfer windows?” etc

Equally, constructive criticism should always be welcome – maybe a well expressed proposal for a different formation or use of players previously sidelined.

To be fair, I think much of the criticism floating around this season has been fired by the denizens of Twitterland, as I call it (well, usually with the “i” changed to an “a”), plus some pseudo journalists on YouTube, rather than regular posters on The Mag. There has, however, been a marked increase, at times this season, in the number of posters here being openly critical of Eddie Howe and – since the drubbing by Arsenal – even suggesting he should go.

My attitude towards those people is that I don’t agree with them but I believe they have every right to express their opinion. When things are not going well then questions will be asked and everyone involved has to look at themselves and their own performance. This includes not just the manager but all parties that make up the entity known as Newcastle United: the players, the owners and, crucially, the fans.

The problem from my point of view, though, is twofold.

Firstly, the blame is invariably apportioned to Eddie Howe. As I have already said, any criticism really should be shared out amongst all parties involved, but he is the manager and the buck always stops there. I dimly remember a chairman back in the old First Division days (maybe Middlesbrough) saying that as soon as he heard chants of ‘Sack the Board” he would serve the manager his notice!

Secondly, we as fans are not party to all of the facts that can explain changes in performance.

This last point brings me to a recent interview with Eddie Howe, where he explained his philosophy regarding his responsibility to protecting players and some interesting background information relating to one player in particular.

In his interview, Eddie was unequivocal in his stance. He insisted that he “loves” his players and “wants to help them in every way.” In reference to the injuries which have clearly affected progress this season, he says, “……it’s my job to protect them because these lads are giving everything……….they deserve some protection and support. These are top players and were outstanding last season consistently when fully fit.”

With specific reference to Sean Longstaff, he explained his recent drop in performance levels as being due to an ongoing foot injury sustained against Everton towards the end of last season which has limited his his training capabilities and has required injections to enable him to play.

“I’ve had no other midfielders to play. I would have rested Sean for sure. I’ve got to look after Lewis (Miley), he’s only 17. Anderson hasn’t been available, Sandro hasn’t been available. I’ve had nobody else to pick.”

Eddie also pointed out that Sean has had some excellent games for us over the season. He sees him as an intelligent player who is “integral” to the team – and important player who he is committed to and backs fully. He emphasises that the lad has turned out and played through the pain because he’s totally committed to the club – something that, in my opinion anyway, deserves acknowledgement and credit rather than criticism.

Underlining what a bizarre injury situation he’s trying to manage, Eddie says that he’s been forced to ask players to turn out even though they’re not fully fit, more than at any other time in his career. As we all know, he’s not a man to fish for sympathy or feel sorry for himself but the lack of squad depth has been exposed at times this season, without a doubt.

As I said before, we fans have to play our part in this difficult situation. We need to understand what problems Eddie is trying to manage and just how much those players, especially the ones who may appear to struggle, are giving to the club – to US. We have to appreciate what’s happening behind the scenes and take that into account.

As Eddie himself says,

“That’s why I always compliment the players. Not everyone sees behind the scenes what they’re giving. Sometimes when a player goes out and plays and he’s not feeling great and then doesn’t perform to the level he wants to gets criticism for it. And you’re thinking ‘he’s actually playing for the club here, he’s not playing for himself’ That’s difficult to take if you are the player. That’s where we need to support them through this period, nurse them back to their very best, because they can make the difference for us.”

“I love my players and want to help them in every way.”

We fans need to be the same as Eddie to help the lads in their push for a European place.