EDS WILL ROLL

Howe tells his Toon stars their future is on the line

- Simon Bird

EDDIE HOWE has warned Newcastle's players they are playing for their futures.

Newcastle have conceded 23 goals in the past eight league games, including four in a dreadful defeat by Arsenal on Saturday.

The Toon have plunged to ninth in the league and face a must-win FA Cup fifth-round tie at Blackburn tonight, with anything but progress to the last eight unthinkable.

Head coach Howe said every aspect of his team's game was off in a brutal assessment of the surrender at the Emirates.

He called the season "very challenging" and wanted said he the to harness "emotion" of any negativity.

Asked if everyone was playing for their futures, Howe said: "I can't disagree with that sentiment.

"There have been performances where we've not been at our best and you can understand why. We were disjointed, had players out of position, no substitutes, relying on 11 players continually.