Newcastle United are improving week by week under Eddie Howe, and pundit Chris Sutton has praised the way the manager has made the players he inherited better.
The Magpies are currently fourth in the league, and look like genuine European contenders. That is the long-term goal for the new owners, who must be surprised at how early the club are challenging nearer the top of the table.
It’s been a remarkable turnaround at St James’ Park, with big name players arriving and making a difference. The likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes have been transformative.
However, it isn’t fully down to the new signings made by Amanda Staveley and co.
The Newcastle XI that started the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday included six players who were already at the club before the takeover.
All of the goalscorers were players Howe inherited, and the Toon boss has done a remarkable job at getting more out of the squad he originally had.
Sutton on Howe’s player development
Newcastle are turning a lot of heads with their recent form. But while some merely want to point to the money spent, pundit Chris Sutton went down a different route.
The former Blackburn striker appeared on BBC Sounds’ Monday Night Club, and he praised Howe’s ability to improve players.
“Eddie Howe is making players who, with the greatest respect, we might have thought previously ‘they’re okay’ – the likes of Longstaff and Willock – and he’s making these players much better,” Sutton said.
“I covered their game at the weekend and first half against Villa it was pretty tight but they’re a team with great belief and they are flying at this moment in time.”
Longstaff and Willock part of a long list of improving Newcastle players
Sutton’s assessment of the likes of Longstaff and Willock is spot on. The former has been struggling up until this season, while the latter endured a tough first year as a permanent Newcastle player.
However, they have both improved remarkably under Howe. They have been key players this season, despite not being the most glamorous members of Howe’s squad.
And they aren’t the only examples of players who have improved since Howe replaced Steve Bruce. Miguel Almiron and Joelinton have been revelations. Fabian Schar is better than he ever has been in a Newcastle shirt. Emil Krafth stepped up massively last season in the absence of Trippier.
Howe clearly has a unique ability to get more out of the players at his disposal. The way he develops talent is truly remarkable, and will serve us very well in the coming years.
It makes talk of exciting youngsters coming to Newcastle even more tantalising. The likes of Garang Kuol could go on to become really special under the guidance of Howe.
Money has played a part in the Magpies’ rise. However, it is not the only factor. Once average players are now shining in the Premier League, and helping Newcastle compete for a place in Europe.
And Howe deserves huge credit.
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