IN the wake of Newcastle United’s defeat at Chelsea on Monday night, Jamie Carragher claimed the club’s players were “ready for the end of the season”. A leading Newcastle fans account on social media claimed the squad were “spineless” and “completely lacking in heart”. Darren Bent, speaking on talkSPORT, confidently predicted Eddie Howe “would not be manager next season”. Hardly the optimal build-up for an FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City.

Howe is aware of the increasingly frenzied external chatter ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium, but was keen to restore a sense of balance when he spoke to the press at Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground yesterday morning. Yes, there is disappointment at the way in which the season has unfolded. Yes, there were elements on Monday’s defeat at Stamford Bridge that were unacceptable. But Howe is keen to highlight the mitigating factors that have adversely affected Newcastle’s season, and comprehensively rejects any suggestion that his players’ effort or commitment have wavered in the last few weeks.

“I don't like to hear that,” said Howe, when asked directly about Carragher’s comments on Sky and the mounting anger amongst supporters that was evident in the aftermath of the Chelsea defeat. “I didn't know he (Carragher) had said that, but he is entitled to his opinion. But that's not how we are internally. That's not how we're working. Our training standards and intensity are still there. We're determined to end the season well - regardless of what happens (at Man City) - and no part of us is thinking ahead, or too far ahead anyway.

READ MORE:

“It’s not nice to hear what has been said, especially after what we stood for last season. I think we were the absolute opposite of what has been quoted, but I understand emotional responses to game. I am sure the people who have written those words mean them though, so now it is up to us to answer them.”

Sven Botman and Sean Longstaff were two of the players coming in for especially harsh criticism on Monday evening, with the pair’s performance levels also having been questioned in a number of recent games.

Howe did not challenge the notion that both players have been below their best in the last few weeks, but clearly feels that the duo’s injury issues have been a major factor in their struggles. On a number of occasions this season, Howe has had to call on players who have not been fully fit because so many of their team-mates have been unavailable because of injury. As a result, he feels it is unfair to criticise their current performance levels when they might well be running on empty.

“This season, more than any other in my career, I’ve had to go, ‘Look, we need you to play, even though I know it’s not ideal’,” said Howe. “I don’t want to get the violins out and feel sorry for ourselves, but that’s just the reality of the situation we’ve been in due to the lack of squad depth this year.

“That’s why I always compliment the players. Behind the scenes, not everyone sees what they’re giving. Sometimes, when a players goes out and plays, but isn’t feeling great, and then they don’t perform to the level they want to, they get criticism for it and you’re thinking, ‘He’s actually playing for the club here – he’s not playing for himself’.

“That’s difficult to take if you’re the player, and that’s where it’s my job to try to protect them because these lads are giving everything, and they have given everything all year. For me, they deserve some protection and support.”

That said, however, Howe is keen to shut down any notion that he is too soft on his underperforming squad. In front of the cameras, indeed whenever he speaks in public, he tends to be unwaveringly supportive of his players. Behind closed doors, however, he insists he does not shy away from baring his teeth, even if he is loath to lose his cool in any situation.

“I think it’s my job to support the players in the media, 100 per cent,” he said. “That’s always been at the very forefront of my mind when I’m speaking to anyone external. I love my players, I want to help them in every way. In their life and in their careers.

“But behind the scenes, I will let them know in no uncertain terms if I’m not happy and they’ve got to do more. Have no fear about how I interact with the players behind-the-scenes.

“I get the fascination with how angry I am. I understand it because there’s a need for a reaction, but I don’t necessarily believe in that style of management. I believe in accountability and making your players aware of their roles and responsibilities.”