Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is the master at making players better, but it does not happen overnight.
Since he became Newcastle United manager, so many players have improved under the guidance of Eddie Howe.
The biggest example of that is Joelinton, who has gone from failing forward to Newcastle’s ultimate utility man. His goal against Nottingham Forest on Sunday was crucial, and it came from Howe switching the Brazilian’s position from left wing to right wing.
But so many more players have taken their games to new heights thanks to Howe and his coaching staff, one of which is Lewis Hall.
Lewis Hall’s remarkable rise at Newcastle United
Hall’s progress has been incredible. The £28million defender has been one of Newcastle’s best players this season, and Hall’s form has earned him a place in the England squad.
His rise has been rather remarkable, considering how his Newcastle career was going 12 months ago.
After arriving on loan from Chelsea, Hall did not look up to the standard. He was not trusted to play by Howe, even when the Magpies were crippled with injury problems. That spoke volumes about how Hall was viewed, and it did not reflect well on the £28million fee that Newcastle were going to pay in the summer of 2024.
Lewis Hall admits early Newcastle frustration
That was epitomised by his first few Toon appearances.
Three out of his first four starts resulted in him being substituted at half time, and Hall has now admitted that he was ‘frustrated’ by Howe taking him off after just 45 minutes.
In an interview with the Independent, Hall has reflected on that statistic.
“On paper it doesn’t necessarily look the best,” he said.
“It was three out of the four games that I’d started I’d been taken off at half time. One of them being on a yellow card, which I understood. And then the other two weren’t my best games.
“But at the time that frustrated me.”
Howe was right to substitute Hall back then
It is no surprise that Hall was frustrated about being taken off. It was a recurring theme at the start of his Newcastle career.
He was struggling for opportunities, and the ones he got ended earlier than anticipated.
However, the decisions to take Hall off were understandable. As he says, one of them – Borussia Dortmund away in the Champions League – had seen him pick up an early booking.
The other two games in which he was subbed after 45 minutes were Manchester City at home in the Carabao Cup and Bournemouth away in the Premier League. In both games, Newcastle needed a change at half time, and Hall was unsurprisingly sacrificed.
It was harsh on Hall, and an early lesson into what would be required to be a success at St James’ Park.
He has now become a success through hard work and dedication, and it has resulted in the 20-year-old earning a place in the England senior squad for the first time in his career.
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