Eddie Howe was hesitant when asked if Newcastle United's players had lost their fire this season, though the Magpies boss insists he has not lost faith in his own abilities.

Newcastle were booed off by their home fans as their dismal season continued with a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at St James' Park on Saturday.

Adrien Truffert's 85th-minute goal proved decisive for the Cherries, after William Osula had cancelled out Marcus Tavernier's first-half opener. 

Newcastle have now lost eight of their last 11 Premier League games (three wins), with only relegation-threatened Tottenham suffering more defeats in 2026 (nine).

Their seven home Premier League losses this season are their most in any campaign under Howe, and their most since suffering eight defeats on their own turf in 2020-21, under Steve Bruce. 

Having had aspirations of Champions League qualification at the start of the season after spending over £240m on Nick Woltemade, Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw, Newcastle are 14th in the table and Howe's future is unclear.

When asked in his post-match press conference if the fire had gone out for Newcastle's players, Howe paused for a full seven seconds before responding.

He then said: "I'm hesitating because I'm speaking on behalf of other people and that's very difficult to do.

"I believe they do and from what I see on the training ground, I don't see any sense of poor attitude or poor commitment to their work. I see a group of players that are always giving their all.

"Of course, we all need to give more, the players need to give more, I need to give more, to turn the results around."

Asked if his self-belief was faltering amid his most challenging season on Tyneside, Howe was firmer, saying: "My belief in myself can't waver, and it's not.

"That's in every moment. That's in good moments where I try to stay very level and very calm, where I don't believe the hype one way.

"It has to work in reverse the other way, where I have to retain a real belief in my work and my staff and what I do.

"Despite what other people may say, that's there. But of course, I'm very aware of those results and they're not good enough."

Newcastle's next game sees them travel to Emirates Stadium to face title-chasing Arsenal next weekend.