Charlie Austin takes swipe at Newcastle fans over Eddie Howe pressure

There are those who are still debating the future of Eddie Howe at Newcastle United after a couple of bad results and David Hopkinson's reluctance to publicly back the manager.

While Hopkinson's words have been twisted somewhat to suggest that Howe's job is on the line, there is no doubting that a discussion will be had at the end of the season should Newcastle fail to bag European football.

Until then, it's really anyone's guess what's going to happen, and Sky Sports held a discussion on Tuesday over whether Howe will still be in the Toon hot seat next season, as covered by The Shield's Gazette.

Sky pundit, Charlie Austin, who played as a striker under Eddie Howe at Burnley leapt to the defence of his old boss.

Charlie Austin aims dig at Newcastle fans

We don't mind Austin defending Eddie Howe, but in doing so, the former Southampton man took a swipe at the Newcastle fanbase, and that's where we are forced to disagree.

When asked if Howe could leave St James' Park this summer, Austin backed him to stay.

“No, you’re getting frustrated but it’s the expectations. It’s the Newcastle fans’ expectations are too high at this moment in time.

“I understand they’re twelfth in the table, they got into the Champions League and we saw this last time they got into the Champions League. They didn’t back it up with their performances in the Premier League, did they? I just feel like the job he has done at that football club is superb.

“He’s brought the players in. The two biggest signings he made were Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn at the start and they’ve been fantastic servants for the football club, of course they have.

“When they bring in new players, he (Howe) is the man to do it. He has been a phenomenal manager for the football club and the last thing I will say is be careful what you wish for. I’m not sure you’re going to take him (Andoni Iraola) over him. I really don’t. The job he has done there has been superb.”

Are Newcastle fans being unreasonable here?

We don't think the fans' expectations are unrealistic at all. If we are good enough to qualify for the Champions League and then we sign six players at the cost of £250 million, we don't think it's too much to ask to expect that we return to some form of Europe the next season.

Obviously, we get that the season becomes harder when you add in the extra games from playing in Europe, but that's why you spend £250 million on six new players, to bulk up the squad to mitigate against the issues we've faced this season.

It just shows that the recruitment was wrong in the summer, but as we've said before, that's not all on Eddie Howe. He was massively let down by those above him, particularly Paul Mitchell, who ran away with his tail tucked between his legs.

Newcastle fans' expectations aren't unreasonable at all. They are higher than ever, obviously, but that's because we've seen what this team can do under Howe. He's brought it on himself, really.