Eddie Howe: I’ll leave Newcastle if I have to - but my fire is still there

Eddie Howe faced up to one of the most intense pre-match press conferences of his tenure as Newcastle United boss on Friday morning.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Bournemouth, Eddie Howe was under constant bombardment of questions about his future, the future of his players and plans for the summer.

There were a lot of questions about whether he'd still be the boss next season, as pressure has started to mount following a run of bad results.

Another bad result on Saturday could really affect the mood on Tyneside and Eddie Howe is under no illusions that results need to change.

Eddie Howe faced tough questions on Friday

The Toon boss was asked bluntly if he still has the 'fire' to do this job, with the 48-year-old insisting he still believes he's the right man to lead the club forward.

"My fire is burning very, very strongly. That's no guarantee obviously from my side of what's going to happen in the future because the forces that move in football clubs move quickly.

"But my fire is there, there's loads of wood stacked up and I'm ready to put it on.”

Then, towards the end of the presser, Howe was labelled a legend at the club, but asked if he's now at risk of walking away with that reputation tarnished, to which Howe gave a very interesting response.

"I just want to serve the club, I just want to do what's right for the football club. That's always been my aim, and if that's me leaving to help the club then of course, that's something I'll do; I've got no issue doing that; it's not about me. 

"If I believe I'm the right person to lead the club forward, which I do currently right now, then I'll do that and I'll fight to the end. I'll fight harder than I've ever fought before. But it's making sure that those two things are aligned."

That's fighting talk!

Those are both very strong statements from the boss who has clearly been giving his future a lot of thought, and it sounds as though he is determined to get the club back on track.

Our worry is that it's not something that can be done overnight, and with that comes the need for time that many currently aren't willing to give him. 

We hope that common sense prevails and Howe is given another shot next season after a pre-season in which he's got full support from an in situ CEO and sporting director, something he's not had for the last two years.

If things don't turn the corner by midway through the next season, then we can start thinking about a change, but to put all of this season's issues on Howe's back just feels unfair.