'Not buying in': Chris Sutton has now said his piece on the pressure on Eddie Howe's job

Eddie Howe is under pressure as Newcastle United boss after a slump in form. At least that's what some pockets of the media would have you believe.

Newcastle fans know better, and to be fair, there are some journalists and pundits out there who can see how ludicrous those rumours are.

There's even been shouts that losing against Sunderland in the FA Cup third round would seal his fate.

Chris Sutton didn't give a score prediction for the FA Cup tie. Shame.

BBC pundit Chris Sutton has touched upon Saturday's game in his weekly column, and while he's not done his usual score prediction, he has been quite sensible in what he's said about Newcastle.

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Chris Sutton said he doesn't expect there to be any calls to sack Eddie Howe even if Newcastle fall to an unthinkable defeat to Sunderland.

"Newcastle have lost in round three to League One sides in each of the past two seasons, and Eddie Howe loves to make lots of changes for these ties - but he cannot do that this time, in the position they are in, so I think they go full strength, and go through."

"But, even if they lose, I am not buying into any suggestion that the Magpies need to change their manager. We know they are on a bad run, but I think they should stick with Eddie Howe and most of their support is still with him."

If the worst happens fans will 100% over react, but there'll be no real calls for Howe's sacking

Should the worst happen, there will absolutely be calls for Eddie's head on social media by a bunch of riled-up fans, but the majority of those won't even believe what they're typing, it's just a reaction to a bad defeat. When the dust settles they'll see reason.

Not that any of that matters, because we aren't going to lose, are we? Let's get some positive mental attitude up in here.

Howay the lads!!