The Eddie Howe tweaks helping transform Newcastle's season
When Newcastle United trudged off the pitch following the 4-2 reverse at Brentford on the 7th December 2024, the club languished in 13th place in the Premier League.
ffThe country was being drenched by Storm Darragh and as the lads applauded in front of a basically empty away end, they looked the perfect facsimile of drowned rats – limp, wet and dead (on their feet.)
Criticism was cast at management following the dropping of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the wake of their excellent performances against Liverpool in the midweek; and the season appeared to be in danger of unravelling.
Something had to change
Eddie Howe knew something had to change to course correct the season especially with the early campaign chopping and changing resulting in a lack of chances taken and an evident lack of midfield balance.
Following the Brentford defeat came confirmation of individual meetings set up by Howe in which standards were reaffirmed. Anthony Gordon confirmed in post-match comments that a players meeting took place which focused hearts and minds after some home truths were shared as the mentally of the squad was hardened against the outside noise.
Now, as we enter the first full week of January, United sit in 5th place, one point off the top four having won six games in a row in all competitions with a striker in the form of his life, a solid, combative, quality midfield three and a right-sided forward playing out of his skin.
Reems and reems of column inches have been devoted to United’s newfound midfield balance but permit me a few more here. The triumvirate of Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton have blossomed beautifully with them blending into the almost perfect Premier League midfield. It possess’ guile, pace, and bite – with each of those attributes possessed by each player. Tonali and Bruno interchanging between the six and eight has clicked with Tonali often sitting deeper, allowing Bruno to roam forward; and all the sudden he has six assists. And Big Joe is the battering ram, annoying oppositions fans up and down the land.
Add-in settled wingers and the midfield balance is complete, spread across a high functioning five players. Gordon is rediscovering his form and is clearly meant to be playing on the left and nowhere else and at only 23 his ceiling is so incredibly high.
Yet, a special mention must go to Jacob Murphy, who is proving a huge threat many clubs in the league just don’t have in the ‘traditional’ right wing role. His driving runs and crosses from the byline are seldom seen in modern football where the penchant is for inverted wingers who always cut inside, and he is bagging assist after assist – with seven in total so far this season. He also appears to have a brilliant relationship with Isak and the two are combining with astounding regularity at the moment.
Martin Dubravka has come back into the side, admittedly through injury, and slotted perfectly into the system with the Slovakian international reminding many fans what an excellent goalkeeper he can be; especially with the ball at his feet, his calmness and close control have arguably brought a new dimension to United’s playing out from the back.
Confidence is key, of course, but the calming, leadership influence of Trippier has also been apparent in the games against Aston Villa and Man Utd as the former captain was drafted in from the cold to put in solid displays. Proof that the whole squad has continued to buy into the project, even if you aren’t playing regularly.
Finishing chances
Newcastle have gone from missing early chances, being punished and/or chasing games (see previous home defeats to Brighton and West Ham) to scoring early and controlling games.
We’ve scored within nine minutes in each of our last our last FIVE games in all competitions. The tone is set early, allowing the high-pressing style to dominate opposition across five out of the last six games.
Even when the opposite happened and Spurs took an early lead on Saturday, we saw that renewed confidence, character an grit in the side. We didn't panic, we responded immediately, took our chances to complete the comeback and defended well to see out another big win.
Rumours are swirling in the media that moves will be made in the January window – with Dubravka and Almiron heavily linked with moves away, and others potentially to follow as room is made in PSR for reinforcements to arrive and bolster the club’s chances in the second half of the season.
If Autumn was the nadir of United’s season, then Winter promises to be the zenith if the club’s current trajectory is maintained. HWTL
