The honeymoon is over. After two months of warm embrace, the cold reality is hitting home for Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s supporters.
It has taken 10 matches — a fair enough juncture for an early appraisal — but on Saturday we heard the first grumblings of discontent, even if it did emanate from a minority. The boos were not directed at Howe per se and it was as much a release of frustration after losing a lead with two minutes to play.
But the defiant support that even saw the players applauded following last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Cambridge is now being tested by results.