Eddie Howe deserves immense credit for the work he has done to turn Newcastle’s season around so far during his reign.
He has come in, worked tirelessly, made good signings but ultimately coached improvements out of the players and dragged the club forward with his workrate and enthusiasm.
Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has told the True Faith Fan Channel that he has not heard any grumbles from inside the camp from players who are not playing, and praised Howe’s relationship with his squad.
He also said that the win over Leeds was something of a turning point for Howe’s reign, coming just ahead of the warm weather training break to Saudi Arabia.
“Eddie Howe is a really good guy and even those players who have been left out, who have had to kick their heels, take Bruno Guimaraes for example, I don’t hear any moaning. They are getting their head down and getting on with it.
“That always bodes well when the players are not showing any frustration behind the scenes. He’s improved pretty much every player in that squad.
“It’s clear he’s been an ideal choice of first manager. He’s very clever; he says the right thing at the right time. Going into that Leeds match just before Saudi Arabia, I honestly think Eddie Howe would have been under a bit of pressure!
“Since that result, it’s been a real shot in the arm. You can see a real togetherness and that comes from the manager. Looking back now, having beat Leeds before they travelled, it’s been a springboard for these results.
“They’re all backing each other up. When the players knew they had the trip the next day, that gave them a boost in that Leeds game and that little trip was key to staying in the league.”
Was Howe really under pressure ahead of the Leeds game? That seems a bit much but at that time there weren’t the results to go with the improved performances.
They got the win that day, against a team who are now dragged into the dogfight and that has certainly boosted the confidence of the players.
It is good to hear that Downie is hearing the squad are behind Howe and not grumbling if they are not in the side and that is testament to the former Bournemouth boss.
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