I asked Eddie Howe this question on Sunday – A surreal moment & experience I’ll never forget
So, as many of you know I am a passionate NUFC supporter, aren’t we all? But, I primarily cover Newcastle United Women, whose games I go to as often as I can. I doesn’t stop me having an opinion on the Men’s Senior side, but it’s Wor Lasses who I've reported on in recent times.
Until last weekend when I actually got to really fulfil a dream. Watching The Lasses and reporting on them has already seen me attend their games at St. James Park from the Press Box and via the Media Centre. It’s a real thrill, an honour and privilege to do so.
Saturday saw their latest escapades on the hallowed turf and I have already done a Match Report for the blog BUT, when I got to the ground on Saturday I was informed that my Press Pass had actually afforded me access to the two games prior.
I hadn’t known that so missed them. However, I was reliably informed that my pass also extended the invitation to the two Men’s game on Sunday! Now, I checked and double-checked this as I wasn’t sure but lo and behold it did, even though I wasn’t reporting on either game!
So, Sunday came and I accessed the Media Suite once again and it’s always a thrill. Seeing so many of the names I read on the articles I see about NUFC - both nationally and locally - was a bonus, especially getting to talk to them as an equal, which in all reality I am!
I watched the Nice v Fiorentina game and then adjourned to the Media Suite where I was able to partake of some excellent Tomato Soup followed by Baked Chicken and potatoes. Not to mention several cups of tea and biscuits. They really look after you!
Fully fed and team sheets in hand I proceeded back to the Press Box to watch The Lads warm-up scarcely believing my good fortune. Even more spine-tingling when they returned to the changing rooms and then came out to the strains of ‘Local Hero.’
I’ll not talk much about the game. Others have done that but seeing the power, pace, touch and ability of The Toon players at such short quarters and with such a terrific view was indeed a sight to see and a 4 – 0 win wasn’t bad either!
For what it’s worth I thought Jacob Murphy was outstanding, Joelinton so powerful and covering every blade of grass and Harvey Barnes such a bonus who may have us saying Alan Saint-Who before the end of the season.
In truth, they all played well and could be well satisfied at the end of the 90 minutes and then, and then, it happened. I had to leave via The Media Suite but not before I was invited to join Eddie Howe’s press conference. Yes, little OLD me living the dream!
Eddie came in and was excellent. He’s such a motivational inspirational well thought out and educated fellow. He was naturally pleased with everyone but felt there was still room for improvement. He said he genuinely didn’t know what his 11 would be for The Villa game. A lot of hard thinking and analysis was needed he said.
Lee Watson, NUFC’s Lead Media Man, introduced the press and invited all to ask questions. They did and Howe was articulate and fulsome in his replies. No questions ducked and always a well-rounded answer. I was more than impressed to say the least.
Then, Lee looked around and was just about to close the conference but then asked if anyone else had anything to ask. A question had come in my mind and Lee caught my nod. I was about to ask Eddie Howe a question in an official presser!
Now, I’m 63 old and been a Toon fan all my life but never ever thought I’d be in this position. I wanted to ask something I was interested in and something no-one else had asked. This is what I came up with...
“Just picking up on the squad Eddie, you had Paul (Dummett), Jamal (Lascelles) and Matt (Ritchie) playing today then you’ve got all them youngsters on the bench - that’s got to be a massive benefit for The Club as a whole?”
Eddie's reply - “Yeh, absolutely. You can’t in my opinion be weighted too far in one way. So we were aware that we needed to reduce the average age of the squad, but in doing so you don’t want to lose all the experience that you’ve got as well, because it's a really fine balance the experience, as you say, of Paul, Matt and Jamal.
“They add so much as of conduct and helping the younger players settle. But you need the youth as well. You need the youthful energy and innocence that brings and that’s a real strength too. I think we’ve got a really good mix in the squad at the moment between all ages.”
And with that it was a “thanks everybody” and he was gone. What did I think? That our Club is in very safe and reliable hands and we’re very lucky to have Eddie Howe fronting and leading it. He’s some boy and impresses everyone all of the time.
Me? Well, I think I may well now have virtually completed my sporting dreams. Never in a million years did I think what happened yesterday would. Who knows it might even be the start!
You can see the press conference below, featuring me putting my mic down 20 seconds in, followed by a polite smile and hello from Wor Eddie himself:
