It is the players, not manager who need to step up, says Tripps

NEWCASTLE United’s players are taking responsibility for their poor performances on their travels as they back Eddie Howe and his coaching staff.

- By ROSS GREGORY Head of Sport [e-mail]

That's the view of experienced defender Kieran Trippier, who held his hands up after the dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Sunday.

The reverse - a third in a row away from home in the Premier League - leaves Newcastle two points above the relegation zone, slumped in 14th spot in the table. They have failed to win on their travels in the league since a 3-0 win over Leicester City in April.

Trippier says the leadership group in the United squad, made up of himself, Nick Pope, Jamaal Lascelles, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn, have held discussions among themselves and with other players as they try to thrash out what is going wrong. One thing they are keen to stress, however, is that the players are to blame and not the under-fire Howe.

Asked if there had been stern words in the dressing room after the Brentford defeat, Trippier said: “I wouldn't say any arguments or anything.