'We understand' - Kieran Trippier publicly backs Eddie Howe at Newcastle United

Kieran Trippier has called on the players to take responsibility as the pressure continues to mount on Eddie Howe.

Kieran Trippier has staunchly defended Eddie Howe as Newcastle United manager.

Eddie Howe..... his Newcastle side scraped home against Leeds, and again in Saturday's Cup match with Bournemouth. Photo by Newcastle Unitedplaceholder image
Eddie Howe..... his Newcastle side scraped home against Leeds, and again in Saturday's Cup match with Bournemouth. Photo by Newcastle United | Local Library

Boos echoed around Tyneside as the Magpies lost their fourth consecutive fixture. St James’ Park is no longer a fortress - with defeats in four of the last five home games.

Bournemouth were the latest team to stun Newcastle, with Marcus Tavernier and Adrien Truffert producing the goods. Serious questions are now being asked about Howe’s future in the dugout.

Newcastle supporters are split - with the calls ramping up on social media for Howe to go. It is understood that the Magpies will not make any hasty decisions before the end of the campaign.

Kieran Trippier defends Eddie Howe

Toon defender Trippier issued a robust defence of Howe - insisting the players must take the blame. He said: “I'm not going to stand here and criticise the manager. I've known him too long. I know what he does behind the scenes. It’s us players who need to take responsibility.

“The manager has given us clear instructions individually on what to do, so I'm not going to stand here and accuse the manager. He’s given us clear instructions. It’s us, the players, who need to step up and execute his plan, so I'm not going to blame the manager whatsoever.”

‘Everyone is entitled to opinion’ - Kieran Trippier

Trippier also urged his teammates to stick together amid the ongoing criticism. He added: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The pundits, people online, whatever it may be. We’ve just got to internally stick together (and) keep listening to the manager.

“We need to start getting the wins for ourselves, the manager, the club and, most importantly, the supporters. We understand the frustration. As I said before, it's disappointing to get beat at home again. I'll take all the criticism.”

Kieran Trippier message to Newcastle United supporters

In a message to Newcastle fans, Trippier admitted the final five games could be “long” - but asked for them to stick by the players. He said: “It could be long, but it's just, certainly since my time here, keep standing by us, keep sticking by us, I understand myself personally frustration, angry of course, but we have to get wins fast for them, for the manager, so yeah, just that, you know, keep sticking by us, like I always have done since I've been at the club.”

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