When Sandro Tonali scored his first goal in Newcastle United’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth round win over Aston Villa, there was only one person he wanted to celebrate with.

Eddie Howe.

He ran over and hugged his manager, and it felt like a statement was being made.

We back the boss.

Howe had come under pressure from some sections of the fanbase after a poor run of Premier League form, and being dumped out of the Carabao Cup semi-finals by Manchester City.

It’s all about the number 10 for the Magpies at the moment.

Newcastle currently sit 10^th in the Premier League with 26 points, following 10 wins and 10 losses.

The majority of those losses have come in away games. Up until recently, Newcastle looked insipid on the road, playing with little energy or fluidity.

There was a pattern of playing well in patches, scoring first, and then sitting back, allowing teams to come on to them. Howe, and the fans, watched in frustration as leads were chucked away and points lost.

It didn’t help that the defence has been decimated by injuries, particularly at right-back. Tino Livramento and Emil Krafth are both out for significant periods,...