Eddie Howe rants ‘we’re all at mercy of TV companies’ with Newcastle fans set to be STRANDED after Fulham FA Cup clash
EDDIE HOWE has slammed ITV for not caring about supporters after moving Newcastle’s FA Cup fourth round clash at Fulham to a Saturday night.
The Magpies will take on the Cottagers in west London at 7pm in a fortnight, but the last train back to Tyneside departs at 9pm.
The Toon Army expressed their anger on social media yesterday when the change was made.
And Howe is fully on their side, blasting: “We’re all at the mercy of the TV companies and when they want to schedule games.
“Not enough consideration is given to supporters and what they have to do to get to and from games.
“To get back from London at that time is incredibly difficult and my sympathies are with our supporters on that.
“When I look at the support we have had away from home, with some very difficult places to find and to navigate to and from, it has just been incredible.
“I’d love things to be easier for them in a game like this but we are at the mercy of the scheduling.”
Ninth-placed Newcastle host Manchester City in the Prem on Saturday as they look to close the gap to fourth from 11 points.
But they have been rocked by an injury to midfield enforcer Joelinton, who is set to miss six weeks with a quad injury suffered during last week’s 3-0 FA Cup win over rivals Sunderland.
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The Mags are without 11 players for the City clash, and Howe added: “Joe’s injury is a real blow for us, he’s such an important player.
“We don’t have anyone like him, he’s our midfield driving force physically so it’s a big blow.
“He’s very disappointed and we’ve had to do a job of trying to pick him up.”