Let’s start by saying Eddie Howe is probably the greatest manager Newcastle United have ever had. While he may not have the aura and box office appeal of Kevin Keegan or Sir Bobby Robson, or the historic standing of Joe Harvey, what he has achieved in four years at the club - his anniversary is on Saturday - puts him at the top of the pecking order for me.

Howe very rarely makes a misstep either when speaking publicly or tactically. That’s what makes yesterday’s performance at West Ham all the more bemusing.

I’m not just talking about the players on the pitch. They were way below par, some of them frighteningly so. However, the manager’s performance was equally baffling.

A football manager’s role during a match is a curious thing. The main body of work has been produced during the week in the build-up to the game - setting out the tactics, the work on the training pitch, dissecting and delivering a gameplan. When it comes to the actual 90 minutes, you hope it’s all done and...