Howe cannot afford to think that far ahead, given the games to come.<\/p>\n
A late push for Europe would put a different complexion on a bruising domestic campaign.<\/p>\n
But Newcastle<\/a> must go on a run to do so, which they have failed to do all season.<\/p>\n When Anthony Elanga openly asked whether the dressing room could show they were fighting for the head coach “again, again and again”, in a previous interview with BBC Sport<\/a>, the forward was alluding to his side’s inconsistency.<\/p>\n “We want to keep on fighting for him because he’s helped us so much,” he said.<\/p>\n “I’d even go as far to say he is one of the best managers I’ve worked for. I’m really grateful to have him as a manager and I try to take everything he says to me on board because I know it’s for my benefit.<\/p>\n “I know he will help me so much. All the players feel the same.”<\/p>\n Yet you never quite know what you are going to get from Howe’s team this term.<\/p>\n Just as Newcastle<\/a> can beat Manchester United<\/a> with 10 men and record a rare win at Chelsea<\/a>, this leaky side can also capitulate and concede seven goals in the Nou Camp or throw away a half-time lead against Sunderland<\/a>.<\/p>\n All in the same month.<\/p>\n Is there mitigation for the ups and downs of a campaign where Newcastle<\/a> reached the last 16 of the Champions League and a third EFL Cup semi-final in four years, but also suffered 13 Premier League defeats?<\/p>\n Even as far back as the autumn, there was a belief internally there would be choppy waters to navigate following a turbulent summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n Newcastle<\/a> missed out on a host of top-choice targets, buckled and eventually sold star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool<\/a> on deadline day and tackled a crucial window without a chief executive and sporting director in place.<\/p>\n