Newcastle United have enjoyed a brilliant 2022, and Fabian Schar is delighted with the changes that have been made.
The Swiss centre-back has played an important role in the Magpies’ resurgence, having enjoyed a new lease of life under Eddie Howe.
Schar had fallen out of favour under previous boss Steve Bruce, but was immediately recalled to the starting XI as soon as Howe arrived at St James’ Park.
It is an opportunity that the 31-year-old has grabbed with both hands, playing better than he ever has before in a Toon shirt. He has previously excelled in a back five, but looked questionable in a back four.
However, Howe has now got Schar thriving on the right of a centre-back duo. Whether it is alongside Dan Burn or Sven Botman, the Switzerland international looks incredibly comfortable.
Schar is now a very important player at St James’ Park, and he is blown away by what has changed at the club over the past 12 months.
Schar on what has changed at Newcastle
The defender has spoke to Wiler Nachrichten, who asked him about his 2022 with Newcastle.
“It’s quite amazing the changes the new club owners and our new coach, Eddie Howe, have made,” Schar said.
“We play attractive football and are currently third in the Premier League. The cohesion in our team and the enthusiasm in our stadium and in the city are fantastic.”
All positive changes
As Schar says, it is quite amazing how much has changed at the club. It has all snowballed since the takeover in October 2021.
That lifted the atmosphere in the ground and the city, and it has got better and better with each victory. That is largely down to Howe, who has completely changed what Newcastle look like on the pitch.
It started with raising the fitness levels, then he made his side solid. Now we are much more cohesive in attack, and are starting to play some wonderful football. But all the while, it is based on hard work and pressing.
It is a far cry from what came before, back when Newcastle were aimless, rudderless and hopeless.
But that has all changed now, and things are on the up. Schar, who signed a new contract earlier this year, is delighted to be a part of it, and he deserves a lot of credit for the year he has had in a Toon shirt.
Hopefully he provides more of the same in 2023.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
