Paul Merson has brushed aside growing claims that Eddie Howe is under pressure at Newcastle United, describing such talk as “ridiculous.”
The Magpies’ campaign has taken a sharp downturn, as momentum from last season’s highs has faded into inconsistency.
After securing silverware and Champions League qualification previously, Newcastle have struggled to maintain that level, slipping to 14th in the table with just six games remaining.
As the season unfolds, their inability to hold onto leads has proven costly.
Notably, Newcastle have dropped 25 points from winning positions, including recent defeats to Sunderland and Crystal Palace despite going ahead in both fixtures.
Consequently, their hopes of European qualification now hang in the balance, with Brentford currently five points ahead in seventh place.
Up next, a crucial clash against AFC Bournemouth offers a chance to regain momentum, although the Cherries themselves remain firmly in the European race.
Despite the mounting pressure from results, Merson insists the criticism of Howe is misplaced, especially considering the progress made under his leadership.
“It’s hard at the moment because Newcastle have been playing for so much over the last few years, won a cup for the first time, playing in the Champions League, and now they are drifting around mid-table,” said Merson.
“They are almost in nothing territory, and it’s quite hard after the highs they have had.
“When I hear about Eddie Howe under pressure, it makes me laugh. He brought them their first trophy in what felt like a million years. It’s ridiculous any talk of pressure.
“The real problem is that it looks like Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes might leave – those are the things that should worry Newcastle fans. But they are still a good team.”
Drawing parallels across the league, Merson pointed to the natural dip that often follows a successful campaign, highlighting squad instability as a key factor.
“It’s a bit like Liverpool, the high of winning the league last season, now look at them. The demands are taking their toll.
“Last year, they had a much more settled team; injuries have meant they don’t have that this year.
“You couldn’t pick Newcastle’s best team. I would give them a bit of leeway.”
Looking ahead, Merson remains confident in Newcastle’s long-term competitiveness, particularly when the squad returns to full strength.
“I expect Newcastle to always be around the five, six, seven mark in the Premier League.
“When they have a full team, all on it, they give anyone a game.”
As the run-in gathers pace, Newcastle must now shift gears quickly, with performances on the pitch set to determine whether their season can still end on a positive note.
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