Eddie Howe has heaped praise on Matt Ritchie for his contribution this season

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Matt Ritchie has been very much a bit-part player on the pitch for Newcastle United this season, but Eddie Howe has said that his contribution behind the scenes is invaluable.

Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United Eddie Howe was asked how important Matt Ritchie‘s experience will be to the squad in the last 12 games of the season.

The 33-year-old winger has made a couple of cameos in the last few matches and it seems that Howe may be calling on him in more ways than brief appearances to help Newcastle succeed this season. In his interview he spoke highly of Ritchie saying: “Matt behind the scenes has been incredible this year. He’s a big presence vocally. You can hear him wherever you are on the training ground or off the training ground.

“He’s got a great personality. He’s really driven the group this year, he’s one of our leaders. When you consider he hasn’t has as much football as he’d have liked he’s driven the team in a really positive way so I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“Also he can still play, I’ve got no doubt about that. He came on against Nottingham Forest and made an impact and he’s got a big part to play for us.”

Ritchie and Howe have a long-standing working relationship

Howe and Ritchie are of course very well acquainted having spent several years together at Bournemouth before fate brought them back together at Newcastle and it seems Howe knows he can rely on the former Scotland International to help rally the troops when needed.

I’ve often said that I expect Ritchie to go into coaching once he retires, and I firmly believe that’s what will happen. I don’t think he will leave Newcastle, I think he’ll retire from playing and will work under Howe in order to learn from him.

There’s clearly a mutual respect between the two and a fantastic working relationship so that’s something I can definitely see happening. And given everything Ritchie has done for the Magpies since joining in 2016, I’d personally love to see that happen.

Did you know Matt Ritchie loves playing away?

Newcastle have some great leaders in their squad as well as Ritchie with the likes of Jamaal Lascelles and Kieran Trippier. I don’t these players could ask for a better mentor should they wish to transition into coaching once their playing days are over.

With Ritchie, for me, it’s not about what he brings on the pitch so much these days. I know Howe backs him to play well enough, but I think his presence in the match day squad is enough, or even just his presence in the dressing room. I certainly wouldn’t want to cross him. He’s got a touch of the Roy Kent about him (for all you Ted Lasso fans out there).

There is one moment that will always come to my mind when Matt Ritchie’s name is mentioned: From the days when fans weren’t allowed in stadiums and the broadcast mics picked up everything. In a game against Leicester City, Callum Wilson scored for Newcastle and all you could hear was Matt Ritchie shouting “Oh yes, I do love playing away”. What a legend.