Howe cannot afford to think that far ahead, given the games to come.
A late push for Europe would put a different complexion on a bruising domestic campaign.
But Newcastle must go on a run to do so, which they have failed to do all season.
When Anthony Elanga openly asked whether the dressing room could show they were fighting for the head coach “again, again and again”, in a previous interview with BBC Sport, the forward was alluding to his side’s inconsistency.
“We want to keep on fighting for him because he’s helped us so much,” he said.
“I’d even go as far to say he is one of the best managers I’ve worked for. I’m really grateful to have him as a manager and I try to take everything he says to me on board because I know it’s for my benefit.
“I know he will help me so much. All the players feel the same.”
Yet you never quite know what you are going to get from Howe’s team this term.
Just as Newcastle can beat Manchester United with 10 men and record a rare win at Chelsea, this leaky side can also capitulate and concede seven goals in the Nou Camp or throw away a half-time lead against Sunderland.
All in the same month.
Is there a degree of mitigation for the ups and downs of a campaign where Newcastle reached the last 16 of the Champions League and a third EFL Cup semi-final in four years, but also suffered 13 Premier League defeats?
Even as far back as the autumn, there was a belief internally there would be choppy waters to navigate following a turbulent summer.
Newcastle missed out on a host of top-choice targets, buckled and eventually sold star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool on deadline day and tackled a crucial window without a chief executive and sporting director in place.
Also, whereas the so-called ‘big six’ are used to fighting on multiple fronts, with deeper squads, this has been relatively uncharted territory for Newcastle, who have played more games (51) than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Such has been the relentless nature of the schedule, there has been a feeling within the camp that they “can’t breathe” at times.
But the squad will soon be lifted by the return of talisman Guimaraes, who is understood to have been “working hard every single day” after being sidelined with a hamstring issue, as well as midfielder Lewis Miley and defender Fabian Schar.
Howe will also have clear weeks to prepare for the final seven matches of the season – and a rare extended period to intensively work with record signing Nick Woltemade following the German forward’s curious recent stint in midfield.
The head coach and his staff will need no reminding they need to make that time count in what feels like a defining few months on Tyneside.
