BBC pundit Garth Crooks has praised the job Eddie Howe has done so far at Newcastle United.
The Magpies picked up another vital point on Saturday, drawing 1-1 to Champions League chasing West Ham.
It was a great performance, especially with Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Kieran Trippier absent.
Howe’s side rallied without three key players, and produced a first-half performance that was full of confidence. The second 45 was less of a classic, but Newcastle did enough to get the point they deserved.
Even with teams below getting wins, this was still a great point for the Magpies. It extended our unbeaten run to six in the Premier League.
Garth Crooks predicts Newcastle to become ‘something very interesting’
Following the latest round of Premier League fixtures, Crooks announced his BBC Sport team of the week.
It didn’t include any Toon players, but West Ham scorer Craig Dawson did feature in the back three.
Despite no Newcastle involvement, Crooks still took time to praise Howe and his side.
“Newcastle on the other hand are no longer a soft touch,” Crooks wrote.
“Eddie Howe has bought well and, given the right financial resources, could turn the Magpies into something very interesting.”
Howe’s battling Magpies
Newcastle aren’t a soft touch anymore. While Howe was previously praised for his attacking and expansive football, he’s turned Newcastle into scrappers and battlers.
That quality was there under Rafa Benitez, but went missing during the Steve Bruce era.
But now it’s back, and will be key in our fight to avoid relegation. Players are fighting for points and digging in, doing whatever it takes to climb the table.
New signings have settled in and made an impact – clearly buying into the manager’s ideas.
Fans are resonating with this team again, as they are fighting for the badge. Newcastle fans go into games without fear now, knowing they can give any side a decent game.
That happened on Saturday, with the Magpies dominating the first half against a team that could be in Europe’s top competition next season.
That’s where Newcastle want to be eventually, and the foundations are certainly being laid right now by Howe.
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