Howe is he under fire? Use your Eds and do all to keep him, Toon

NEWCASTLE UNITED have played 17 football matches this season and have lost six of them.

- ANDY DUNN

Among those defeats were losses to Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal. All by single-goal margins.

Yet, apparently, Eddie Howe is under some sort of pressure, if only from a disgruntled fraction of the fanbase.

Sure, all professional football managers are always under pressure, particularly those at the helm of ambitious, wealthy clubs.

But if anyone believes Newcastle's Saudi owners should even consider a change, they are being faintly preposterous.

Great clubs are made for great managerial dynasties and that is what Howe can create at St James' Park. And if this season does not turn out to be as rewarding as might have been expected, then so be it. Continuity is key.

When you find the ideal leader, stick with him. Simple as that. Liverpool did that with Jurgen Klopp, Arsenal have done it with Mikel Arteta. Given his record and his brilliance, it is somewhat different with Manchester City, but they have done it with Pep Guardiola.