Newcastle United haven’t had it easy so far this time around.
Last season was something of a free hit for Eddie Howe. While a club demanding as much media attention as Newcastle these days always brings its own pressure, it was the first full year under PIF’s ownership and no one was quite sure what to expect.
Still, having achieved so much, Howe has made life difficult for himself. Very high standards have been set.
Indeed, they have been needed. Not only have his team had to play many of the big hitters in the opening stages of the Premier League campaign, their cup draws have been very difficult.
They have beaten Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain while drawing with AC Milan. The only disappointment so far has been the loss to Borussia Dortmund and even that was a tight result.
These are big names the club have had to play and it does not get any easier with Chelsea awaiting in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Certainly, the difficulty of the fixtures has not gone unnoticed.
Newcastle news: Eddie Howe admits something ‘bizarre’ is happening
Speaking to beIN Sports after the game, Howe said: “Look at the season we have had, it’s been bizarre, the cup draws we have had, even going back to our pre season which I know was our choice, we have had some really tough games.
“Hopefully those games elevate your team and improve your team though, so we will take who we get and hopefully progress.”
Newcastle: Why the fixture schedule is a good thing
If you want to win major trophies, you simply have to beat good teams along the way.
The road to the Carabao Cup final last season was a fairly favourable one, only for the team not to lay much of a glove on Man United at Wembley.
To stop that happening again, getting used to playing and beating major names in knockout competitions surely helps prepare for such big pressure.
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