On November 20th 2021, Eddie Howe took charge of his first game as Newcastle United manager.
His new side were 19th in the league at the start of the day, but a positive COVID test ensured the recently appointed boss wouldn’t be in attendance for the game with Brentford.
After a wild 90 minutes that saw Howe watch on from his hotel, the Magpies took home a point after a 3-3 draw.
It was a dramatic game that showed promise from Newcastle, but the usual problems reigned supreme. Defensive deficiencies cost Howe a dream start at St James’ Park, who had to rely on a late equaliser from Allan Saint-Maximin.
Howe won a point on his Newcastle debut, but his side still dropped to the foot of the table after Norwich beat Southampton on the same afternoon.
If he didn’t know beforehand, Howe now knew the size of the task on his hands.
Brentford will be facing a very different Newcastle
98 days later on February 26th 2022, Newcastle face Brentford once again for the return fixture. However, a lot has changed in three months.
The Magpies are no longer rooted to the bottom of the league. They’re not even in the relegation zone now.
Howe’s side have been resurgent since the turn of the year, and are currently on a run of six games without defeat.
A win over Brentford would make it four wins from five, and lift Newcastle above the Bees in the table. Considering how things looked the last time the two sides met, that is incredibly impressive.
At full time on November 20th, Newcastle were bottom with just six points. In contrast, Brentford were 14th with 13 points. Now the gap is just two points. It sums up the rise of Howe and Newcastle, and the demise of Brentford.
Outsiders may point to Newcastle ‘buying’ their way out of trouble, but that ignores the incredible job Eddie Howe is doing.
If he can get a win on Saturday and jump above Brentford in the table, it will put a shine on the meteoric Toon rise since his appointment.
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