Newcastle United

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given believes manager Eddie Howe is "the right person" to be in charge at Newcastle, and that he and his players would become "heroes" if they were to win silverware with the club.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast ahead of Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie with Chelsea, Given spoke about the pressure Eddie Howe is under.

"Every Premier League manager is under pressure after a couple of bad results," he said.

"But, I don't think Eddie comes under that bracket, I really don't - I think he is Newcastle for the long-term.

"I think the owners have a lot of time and respect for Eddie. It was a frustrating summer and Eddie maybe didn't get the players that he wanted in the transfer window and that's been a frustration for fans and anyone connected to the club.

"He hasn't had the supply, Guehi was probably the big one in the summer - he really wanted him in, but couldn't get the deal done. I thought they should have a plan B in place, but they didn't.

"It's just frustrating this season because you roll back 12 months and there was Champions League football in Paris, Dortmund and Milan and now they're mid table.

"I don't think it's time for panic, with Eddie at the helm we've got the right person, he just needs to get back to winning ways and the club will be fine."

Given believes tonight's game with Chelsea is "a huge game" for the club.

He added: "They need to be really focused on the cup competitions, obviously there's no chance of winning the league this season.

"The cup competitions, especially tonight at home under the lights, the place will be absolutely rocking - they have to use the crowd and atmosphere.

"This group of players know silverware is the aim, if Eddie Howe and his team can do that, they'll be heroes for a long time."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether cracks are appearing among the Newcastle United fanbase after a tricky run of form.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: Not in the slightest! This is a long-term project. The players are fully committed, the manager wasn’t interested in leaving for the England Job, and the fans still continue to create the best stadium atmosphere. Yes, we have had some tough games and not got up to speed too much, but the Chelsea performance was really good. January recruitment is key!

George: It was evident that, while other teams improved, Newcastle's management completely capitulated this summer. They failed the club after bringing in no new signings. Every other club has improved but Newcastle has totally stagnated. We essentially have one reliable striker but we wanted to spend £80m on a bang average centre-back?

Cliff: Newcastle are still in a state of transition, from being a mediocre team under the Mike Ashley regime to becoming a top club. The loyalty of the hardened supporters will never waiver. The money rules have stifled the team's progress so far but, under Howe and the backroom staff, we will get there. The true support will move with them.

Jeff: The playing style is getting a bit stale now. The attacking play appears to be too predictable for the opponents and they cannot just rely on Bruno Guimaraes to be the sole creative spark.

Christopher: My thoughts are that firstly we should not be blaming the manager. We have had zero outlay now for two transfer windows and we have also lost two promising young players. Mistakes have been made - Almiron, and certainly Wilson, needed to be moved on months ago. The Marc Guehi saga dragged on for far too long. However, the players need to step up. I believe in Howe.

Geoff: It is mainly the fair-weather fans, that only turned up when the Saudi money did, making the noise. The loyal fans, who weathered the Mike Ashley years, know what being patient is all about.

Newcastle United are keen on signing 25-year-old Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo in January, but the Magpies face spending restrictions. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

But Liverpool and Arsenal also hold interest in Mbeumo, who Brentford value at about £50m. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United have agreed a deal for teenage Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi and he will join the Premier League club when he turns 18 in August 2025.

Salia has represented his country at under-21 level.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell said: "Scouting and recruiting emerging talent is an essential part of building a sustainable future, particularly within the current PSR framework, so the market is fiercely competitive.

"We continue to scout extensively, both domestically and overseas, with a view to securing players who can come through our talent pathway and, ideally, become part of the first team in future."

Image source, Getty Images

Our fan writer Charlotte Robson says "cracks are appearing in the fanbase" at Newcastle given the recent form.

Do you sense this? What's angering you if so? Or is it time to just dig in and make steady progress?

Tell us here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle United fans to leave their complaints about his decisions until after the match, as doing so "in the moment" can be disruptive to the team.

The Newcastle boss was asked by the media about Sandro Tonali, who has been substituted off in Newcastle's past two matches against Brighton and Chelsea. Those decisions were met by boos in the stadium from a section of Newcastle supporters.

"Firstly, I love that the supporters regard Sandro in the highest esteem as I do," Howe said in Tuesday's news conference.

"The only thing I would ask is that any frustrations towards me are reflected after the match, rather than in the moment. That makes it difficult for the players coming onto the pitch. Not that it should affect their performance, but it creates an element of doubt.

"The difficult decision I have in midfield is having three outstanding players starting the game. When you're losing, you try to make changes that you feel can help, without leaving it too late as well. There's a feeling when you give a player 10 minutes, they don't really get into the game and find their rhythm. It's a delicate balance.

"To do that, I have to take a wide player off or a midfield player off, or both. I am a manager that likes to make early changes. I have experience and history behind that.

"When you look at our team, it's a difficult decision. Ultimately, I've judged it off goals and creativity and trying to get as many of them [attacking] players in the team as I can.

"Looking at the team, I don't see anything that's drastically wrong. I think the confidence may be beginning to be an issue. We had a few positional issues on Sunday which we will discuss with the players."

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I am quite a positive person, I think.

I definitely manage to irritate the people around me by trying to look on the sunny side of most situations, and so here I am, quill in hand, trying to look on the sunny side of a weekend where we were beaten by Chelsea, have to play them again in about 10 minutes, and have Arsenal at home in the league after that. Not easy! Not. Easy.

I look at social media to get some reasoned, level-headed responses to what happened to Newcastle at the weekend. No dice. Maybe the comment section of YouTube videos that we make, and our peers make? Absolutely not.

In August, I wrote my concerns (and hopes!) for the season. I said that if results do not go our way as we get into the new year, I hope that we all remain calm. What I was worried about is already happening - cracks are appearing in the fanbase, and more people are wondering what is going on.

As I write, Newcastle are 12th in the league. When we were giddy in pre-season about the prospects of having a squad not half out with injury, and fewer fixtures so more time to focus on things like the cups, not one person was expecting us to be 12th at this point in the season, with no wins in five. I certainly was not.

So here is some positivity; the season is still quite young. We are still in the League Cup. We did not, for many reasons, invest properly in improving the first team for two windows. There is still so much to play for and it cannot be done without unity.

I am not asking for blind support - as I said last week, valid questions have come about as a result of the tricky start we have had - but it is so important to back the team.

We have been through a lot worse than this and I am choosing to believe it will get better. For now.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Researcher

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Chelsea (kick-off 19:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe confirmed Anthony Gordon picked up an injury in training on Friday: "He has been for a scan, we are hopeful the injury isn't serious, let's see how he is today. There is a chance he [could play this week], but we have to make the right decision."

• When asked about the negative reaction from some fans when Sandro Tonali has been substituted off in the past two matches: "I love that the supporters regard Sandro in the highest esteem as I do. The only thing I would ask is that any frustrations are reflected after the match, rather than in the moment. It creates an element of doubt."

• On the importance of the League Cup: "It has been an important competition for us since we have been here and that has not changed. We will pick a team to win the game. Chelsea are a difficult opponent, I am sure they will make changes, but with those changes they will still be a very strong team. We are desperate to progress."

• When asked if Lewis Miley is in his plans for Wednesday's match: "We have to be really careful with Lewis, we need to manage him right. He's trained well, no problem with his training performances. I will be taking guidance by the experts to make sure we don't push him too quickly."

• Howe was asked why Newcastle are struggling to score from corners this season: "I think we've had a lot of chances. I hate to use xG, but our xG from set plays isn't too bad. It's competitive, we should have scored at least one. We are missing a few key corner takers, and missing a bit of the height and strength we've had previously. We will have to evolve again."

• On Chelsea: "This is one game where they could make wholesale changes or one or two changes, we don't know what they will do. We need to plan for what we will do, we know there are certain aspects of our performance that we need to get right to win and that will be our focus."

• On the January transfer window: "My part in that will probably take prominence towards the end of November. There is probably a lot of work going on behind the scenes that I'm not a part of, but I will begin to get involved."

Follow Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

There is "no complacency" when opposition managers prepare to face Newcastle United anymore, according to the i's chief football writer Daniel Storey.

"After that season of significant overachievement Eddie Howe had when he came in, opposition managers don't sleep on Newcastle United anymore," Storey said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"There is no complacency when you face them. There is no taking anything for granted. It isn't that everyone looks at those games as cup finals, but people are more up for it now than they were in that first season."

Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn added: "I agree with that. I think the season where we got to the Champions League was a surprise, with the total change in the way we played the season before.

"Once teams have played against you once or twice, they can obviously change the way they play. The thing is that you have got to constantly evolve the way you are playing - you can't really stand still in this game.

"You can't just keep rolling out the same thing constantly or else teams will sort of find out what you're about."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United centre-back Dan Burn says the Magpies are yet to put in a "complete performance" this season.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Burn said: "Since the gaffer has come in, we have had a style of play that we go for and it has worked well for us. We just probably haven't had that complete performance yet this season.

"I think we have been good in spells, which is a positive. Once we do put a complete performance together, I think we will be flying.

"The table is tight. We don't want to be in the position we are in now and I think takes you up to eighth or something, so I don't think anyone should be reading too much into that.

"You can see from our performance against Chelsea that everyone is putting the effort in and it is just fine margins."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, might push for a move away from Newcastle United in next summer's transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Hector: This is the sort of game Chelsea would have lost last season. I think that alone is a huge step in the right direction. Not so admirable though is our shaky and porous defence, with an error prone Sanchez who kicked the ball straight out of play five times in a row whilst trying to pass to his team-mates. Djordje Petrovic to return in January? Cole Palmer was man of the match, again!

Nick: A strong, competent and professional performance from the team, with Cole Palmer once again putting in a stunning performance.

JB: Our forward play is looking better and the players look like they know the system. However, we still look shaky defending. Lavia played well, keeping Fernandez on the bench, and we lost his power when he was taken off. Fernandez is not the answer for us. My biggest concern is Sanchez though. We got away with it but against very good teams we will lose.

Tom: I'm not happy with Sanchez in goal at all. Every time he got the ball, he either booted it out of play or it never reached a player in our colour. He looks nervous and that nervousness progresses through the team. In the second half, our wingers stopped attacking, but Neto and Madueke were so positive earlier on!

Newcastle fans

Chris: Nick Pope needs to dive rather than spreading himself all the time. Someone of his size should be catching every cross, rather than punching it. One point was deserved from this game as we were just too sloppy with our passes. We need more work from our forwards because we are not pressing enough.

Bluey: We played well enough for at least a point. The team are arguing amongst themselves and the harmony of old is lost. There is a bit of a concern now, as we drop down the table. Mr Howe needs to sort it out otherwise he will feel the heat.

Paul: It looks like this team is losing confidence and needs a rebuild job. We have to get rid of Almiron, Murphy and Wilson. Isak and Barnes are on notice. The tactics also have to be questioned because we cannot string more than two passes together. When did we last score from a corner? What are these coaches getting paid for? Everything requires a rethink.

Richard: The fall in Trippier's form and influence has been disastrous, combined with Botman's injury. As is so often with this club, a lack of cohesion at the top infects the players on the pitch. Everything I have been talking about since we gave Liverpool a win at home last season has come true. I take no pleasure in being right! Eddie's days are sadly numbered.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 2-1 Man Utd

• Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has been speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about the defeat to Chelsea: "I thought we played well in parts of the game and that sums up our whole season really. We have had good spells in all of the games but then the spells where we have been a bit sloppy have let us down. I think that is what happened today."

On his assist for Alexander Isak: "It was really good play down the right-hand side actually. There were a lot of people involved and I think the timing of everything was good.

"Harvey's [Barnes] pass to me on the overlap was perfectly timed and Alex's [Isak] run into the box was timed very well as well. It was a good team goal and it is something that we can look to do more."

On whether he feels the team are making progress this season: "I think in the last three or four games, since the Manchester City game really, we have shown a lot in the games for the fans and people on the outside to look at and be impressed with.

"We have looked back to ourselves so, if we can continue to do that and become more consistent over the whole 90 minutes, then I think we have a good chance of progressing up the table."

On his return to Stamford Bridge: "I knew what I had been through before so that wasn't really on my mind, to be honest. I play for Newcastle now and I'm really happy here. I was just coming here to get the three points.

"Obviously when you come back to a stadium that you have played in before, it does bring back fond memories but I was just focusing on getting the win for the team."

On taking on Chelsea again in a few days at St. James' Park: "We know with Chelsea that they have a lot of depth in their squad, almost two XIs really. So we know whoever they are going to play, they are going to have a really good team out.

"But we have some options as well and we know that, especially at home, we are more than good enough to win that game."

Listen to the full post-match interview here

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There were positives and negatives to take from this performance for Newcastle fans.

The positives were that it was close, they ended their long run without a goal from open play and, on another day, they could have got something from this game.

The negatives are some poor decision making at times and another game without victory that sees Newcastle currently in midtable.

It was Alexander Isak who scored Newcastle's first non-penalty goal in more than seven hours of football but he also made the wrong decision that almost certainly would have made it 2-2 when he tried to walk the ball into the net after rounding the goalkeeper instead of passing. That decision ultimately meant his shot was blocked by defenders.

It is now five games without victory for Newcastle in the Premier League. Boss Eddie Howe is remaining positive that because the performances are there the results will come, but they need to get back to winning ways quickly to retain hopes of challenging for the top four.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to BBC Match of the Day following the defeat: "I thought it was a really good game with two really good teams. We gave a lot to the match and contributed a lot, in terms of endeavour and attitude.

"I'm probably disappointed with the two goals we conceded, especially the second which we thought was self-inflicted, but we gave everything to try and get something."

On whether Newcastle deserved something: "I felt we did for the character shown in coming back. I thought there were a lot of positive things, a lot of very good football. I felt as though we were chasing the game, we were moments away from scoring at any moment."

On what is missing at the moment: "I think it is just the final bit in both boxes, where we didn't defend the two moments well enough and I felt we had enough positive actions to score more.

"Hopefully the goal will go a long way to ridding ourselves of that. No one can change it but us and we will continue to attack games and attack teams."

On whether their current run is emotionally draining: "I think you go through all types of cycles as a manager. You understand the difficult moments and you just have to ride through them knowing you'll come back again. The attitude of the players gives me the most heart and that is the most important thing."

On how many changes he can make for Wednesday's cup game against Chelsea: "We are probably not in the position where we can make as many as we would like. We will try and make the right decisions for both games. We want to try and go as far as we can."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Chelsea's performance, external

What did you make of Newcastle's display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Four matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Crystal Palace v Tottenham - listen on the BBC Sport website

• West Ham v Man Utd - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Arsenal v Liverpool - 16:30 - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction on our live page here

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week nine he takes on rapper Nemzzz, who supports Manchester United.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Newcastle have scored only eight goals in their first eight league games, but I don't think they have changed their style since last season.

It's more that they don't have the strength in depth in the strikers' department. They badly missed Alexander Isak when he was injured, because their other main frontman, Callum Wilson, has not been fit enough to feature this season.

I am backing Newcastle to get a goal this time after two games without scoring, but everything points towards a Chelsea win at Stamford Bridge. With Cole Palmer in the team, they carry far more of a threat than the Magpies.

Nemzzz's prediction: 3-1

Chelsea lost last week and, for once, Palmer did not play his best. Liverpool managed to keep him quiet, but I not sure Newcastle will.

Read the full predictions and have your say here