Eddie Howe speaks out on future at Newcastle and David Hopkinson meeting

Eddie Howe has often said that he doesn't tend to concern himself with stories in the media, and that's probably just as well, as there has been a lot of negativity around his position at Newcastle United of late.

It's not just the fans who haven't yet forgiven Howe for the latest derby defeat, but the media have taken quotes from CEO David Hopkinson, which hinted at a managerial change and spun them into a yarn about how Eddie Howe has seven games to save his job.

There is definitely a feeling that, should Newcastle fail to qualify for Europe this season, then questions may be asked of the gaffer, but there are also those who feel that Howe has enough credit in the bank and enough mitigating factors this season to potentially deflect blame.

Still, the questions needed to be asked, and with Howe facing the media on Friday morning for the first time since that derby defeat, his future was a hot topic of discussion.

Eddie Howe is 100% committed to Newcastle

Eddie Howe was adamant that, from his perspective, he is 100% committed to the job, but knows that there's always an air of uncertainty around any role.

"Nothing has changed. I'm 100% committed to the job. That commitment has never wavered. In this day and age, it is difficult to look too far into the long term.

”I have to focus on the final seven games. We haven't trained with 20 players together since August so we have had a refreshing couple of sessions that have been really enjoyable."

Later in the presser, Howe would speak about the meeting he had with David Hopkinson after the Sunderland defeat, which many thought was a crisis summit.

"It was all constructive. It wasn't all necessarily about the Sunderland game. it was a planned meeting about the future, about trying to make sure that we're aligned as a football club and we know what we need to do going ahead into the future to be successful long term. 

“As I said, me, David (Hopkinson), Ross (Wilson), we're all aligned. We know it's not easy, the conditions for us are going to be challenging ahead but I think with smart planning and good work we can still be successful."

Eddie's job looks safe for now

All the noises coming out of the club suggest that everyone is still on the same page, and it looks as though there are no plans for a change in the dugout as yet at least.

We don't necessarily subscribe to this idea that Eddie Howe has seven games to save his job, but the performances of the team in these next seven games will definitely be influential.

As much of an Eddie Howe happy clapper I can be at times, even I have to concede that if we don't see a notable improvement in these last few games after having time on the training pitch to work on things, then big, difficult questions need to be asked.

Fortunately, I don't think that will be the case. Sunday is going to be the first huge test, and Crystal Palace is going to be buzzing after their big win in Europe on Thursday night, so we're going to have to be at the top of our game.