For Newcastle United and Eddie Howe, last season was something of a dream.
Only months after a relegation battle, Howe led Newcastle back into the Champions League for the first time in two decades.
Having also reached a Wembley cup final, there simply hasn’t been a better season for the club on recent record.
Now, the pressure is on. Though that sounds somewhat sacrilegious give Howe’s standing amongst the supporters, it’s all about how the former Bournemouth coach builds on from here into next season.
No matter how popular he is at St James’ Park, few would doubt expectation levels have been raised.
Lee Bowyer has one major Eddie Howe worry
Indeed, so much so that former Newcastle midfielder Lee Bowyer is concerned.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Bowyer was asked about where his old club go from here, off the back of such a successful season.
Rather than give a stirring message about his former side, Bowyer said: “My worry is, has he achieved too much too soon?
“I just think, a bit like David Moyes, he got seventh or eighth for West Ham and because they didn’t sustain that the next season, you’re under immense pressure.
“Now Eddie’s in the top four, the Champions League and these owners are going to want to stay in that position if not get higher.”
“They’ve done an unbelievable job I just hope they can sustain it next season.”
No reason to fear for Eddie Howe
Yes, expectation levels have indeed been raised.
Still, why would that worry a man like Eddie Howe?
The coach, alongside Jason Tindall, who took Bournemouth through the leagues before making them an established Premier League outfit for a number of years, he’s shown the level of consistency needed to dispel any suggestions of being a flash in the pan.
Clearly, there are no guarantees in football. Still, the work Howe has done in his career would at least suggest he’s capable of ensuring this upward trajectory does not hit a ceiling any time soon.
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