It is difficult to judge whether Newcastle have underperformed under Eddie Howe this season.

The Magpies have suffered a remarkable number of injuries that have hampered their league and European efforts.

But despite the fatigue that resulted in defeats like those at Arsenal on Saturday, they remain in contention to qualify for Europe and are in the FA Cup.

Ahead of their fifth round tie at Blackburn tonight, we assess whether Howe's job could soon come under pressure.

Too much too soon

There is a degree to which Howe is a victim of his own success.

Qualifying for the Champions League in his first full season in charge was a major hurdle cleared ahead of schedule and was always going to be difficult to replicate.

The club also need to be wary of profit and sustainability rules, meaning they have been unable to spend their riches to the extent Howe will have hoped.

Sitting inside the top half and being in contention to win the FA Cup is a big improvement on two years ago but is a comedown from 2022-23.

Injury crisis

Howe has also suffered more bad luck than he bargained for this term, with swathes of injuries decimating his squad just as they were competing on all fronts in the first half of the season.

The effects of that gruelling period are still taking their toll on the Toon, who lacked energy in Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, while the continued absence of midfielder Joelinton — along with the suspended Sandro Tonali — is hugely damaging.

But the club, by their own admission, must also take some responsibility for the situation.

Howe recently said: "Of course when you have the number of injuries we have had, some of those have come from too much load.

"If we are sitting here thinking we have not made any mistakes I think we are being fools."

Unsustainable style

Newcastle secured that fourth-place finish by playing high-octane, energetic football — and Howe's inability to compromise on that as his squad wilts seems to have cost them.

The Magpies have slipped from fourth to 11th for possessions won in the middle third and eighth to 11th in the attacking third this season — their defensive numbers have suffered as a result.

They had the joint-best goals against record in the Premier League last season (33) but have already shipped 43 this time around.

Tired bodies and minds are largely to blame, although the Newcastle boss may regret not adapting well enough to his team's fatigue.

What next?

While Newcastle are enjoying a relatively acceptable season, there is still likely to be pressure on Howe for the remainder of this campaign and heading into the next.

Their Saudi owners are in the business of turning the club into serial trophy-winners and considering the restrictions on their spending, will be assessing other areas in which they can improve.

The appointment of an established top-level manager with experience of juggling multiple competitions could be the next stage of their evolution, with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte on the market.

Winning tonight's cup tie at Blackburn could prove crucial by keeping the prospect of silverware on the table.