Eddie Howe is at a critical juncture as Newcastle's momentum appears to be faltering. The upcoming Carabao Cup match against Chelsea is set against a backdrop of the club's aspirations for significant silverware being hampered by financial limitations. During a recent match at St James’ Park, as Sandro Tonali made his way to the sidelines, Howe looked momentarily taken aback. It became clear to him that the decision to substitute the Italian midfielder was met with a gentle chorus of boos from the crowd, signaling that the affection he enjoys from Newcastle fans is not as unwavering as it once was. This incident occurred last Saturday when Newcastle was on course for a 1-0 loss to Brighton. While the crowd's discontent was relatively subdued, many supporters were unhappy with Howe's choice to replace the influential, albeit fatigued, Tonali. The manager, known for his keen sense of the atmosphere, acknowledged that bringing on Joe Willock did not have the intended impact on the game. As Newcastle navigates this challenging period, the pressure is mounting on Howe to steer the team back on track and fulfill the club's ambitions.