Eddie Howe responds to Newcastle United relegation jitters after Tottenham & West Ham wins

Newcastle United are eight points above the Premier League relegation zone with four matches left to play.

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I’ll say it now, Newcastle United won’t get relegated but the fact that it’s even a possibility with four matches to go is rather astonishing.

The Magpies are in relegation form with last night’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal their ninth in 12 Premier League matches. It’s also their fifth in a row in all competitions.

Newcastle were improved at the Emirates Stadium - Eddie Howe was keen to point that out, but admitted that he can’t lose sight of the number of games his side keep on losing.

But what he wouldn’t commit to was looking over his shoulder. As it stands, United should be doing exactly that.

Eddie Howe asked if Newcastle United are looking over their shoulders

Late wins for Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United closed the gap between Newcastle and the relegation places to just eight points before a ball was kicked in North London.

Coupled with Nottingham Forest’s demolition of Sunderland on Friday night and Leeds’ point away to Bournemouth in midweek, the teams below Newcastle are building momentum. Howe’s men, however, are sleepwalking.

“I think we're looking at the fact we haven't won games,” Howe said when asked if he and his players were looking over their shoulder. “It's too many games without positive results.

“So we're looking at next week, trying to win a game and try and lift the feeling that we currently feel.”

Realistically, Newcastle only need one more win to ensure survival in the Premier League but the concern currently is where the next point is going to come from.

And for as long as Howe’s side fail to pick up points, they are reliant on results elsewhere going in their favour.

Next up for the Magpies is Brighton & Hove Albion at St James’ Park on Saturday before back-to-back games against Forest and West Ham.

Only then will we know if fears of being dragged into some final day drama at Fulham were rational. They still feel irrational but the fact that Newcastle find themselves in this position tells you everything you need to know.

This season has been unacceptable.