Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle stars to avoid hearing criticism from some fans “who don’t have intellect”. The Toon squad have faced a difficult season and been the subject of flack from some fans on social media, and pundits. Defender Dan Burn was a prime target last month after errors but recovered to play brilliantly in their last two games. The ranting of some
Instagram and
YouTube “influencers” and others has become tiring and Howe has issued advice to his players to only trust the opinions of a small, select bunch of
Friends and family. Newcastle rode a wave of positivity for two years under Howe, but it has got tricky as results deteriorated since December, with the first criticism surfacing. Newcastle transfers: Eddie Howe sends Bruno Guimaraes warning and urges owners to prove ambition
Arsenal left in no doubt about Alexander Isak after emphatic response to transfer links Some points have been valid, others over the top and Howe said: “A lot of people would not have the intellect to give a proper assessment." “The trouble with
Social Media and that kind of feedback is, it's faceless. If you open yourself up to too many opinions, you have no idea where the opinion is coming from. “That's why I'd say to the players they're better off keeping their circle of friends very, very small and listen to the people that they really trust and believe in.” "If I was advising my son who wanted to be a footballer I'd say don't go on it. But I'm not going to preach to the players, they'll do what they think is right for them. I can give advice but in the modern world now I don't think you can switch off totally from it even if you're not on it because people will want to tell you what they're reading. “You're better off keeping your circle really tight and valuing the opinions of the people you really trust." Eddie Howe has tackled many new problems this season including Sandro Tonali's gambling ban. ( Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images) "I'm lucky - I'm laughing - to have been in lots of difficult situations. In some ways that's great because it's great for your learning and experiences. You're always adding knowledge and things that can help you. "This season has been challenging but that's part of management. No season is easy.” Asked about Burn’s excellent recent form, after being battered, Howe said: “Dan is as mentally strong a player as I've seen, he's very robust, he's experienced, he's a leader and I'm really, really pleased because for me, we should be celebrating players like Dan, we should be saying how good he is and how well he's done for this
Football club. “I genuinely believe that with every fibre that I have, that he's been incredible.” Newcastle will fly to Australia for a post-season game against Spurs, and Howe has admitted it is not something they wanted to do. It will earn the club commercial income, but the travelling could exhaust players bound for the Euros, and others who have had a long season. Howe said: “I don’t think it’s something that, being honest, in my position you’re saying ‘I want to go’. But I understand the club’s position and we will back it if the club say: we’re going. “From a physical perspective, being honest, it is something we wouldn’t want to do. "But we respect the club and respect the demands, that the club is moving very quickly, so when asked to do these things we will do them with the best attitude we can.” Join our new
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