Absolutely relentless from Eddie Howe - "I tried to change how I am, but I couldn't!"

Not so long ago, Newcastle United had a certain manager who seemed happy to do the bare minimum and hope for the best; an approach that mirrored our uninvolved and uninspiring ownership at the time.

How(e) times have changed, with Eddie Howe's incredible work ethic and drive to succeed summed up by his comments ahead of our return to Premier League action this week.

Tonight we welcome a Brentford side who've won five away games on the spin - and it's clear Howe hasn't been able to stop himself preparing while others party.

Howe: I couldn't switch off

During Tuesday morning's press conference at the club's media centre, Sky Sports' Keith Downie asked Eddie Howe how long he gave himself to enjoy the cup final win before he started preparing for Brentford.

His response was quite something and summed up his absolutely relentless nature, saying this in response:

“Really honestly…it was the next day. It's just how I'm wired, it's how I'm built. I tried to have a word with myself and change how I am, but I couldn't.

 “So I was back watching the Liverpool game the next day on my own, analysing the game and going through it for what we need to improve. I went easy on myself, I gave myself a night."

This comes after Alan Shearer - who spoke to Howe on Saturday - revealed our intense training schedule and the alcohol ban ahead of tomorrow's game as we push for a top five finish and Champions League qualification.

Howe on Saturday's celebrations

Thankfully, Saturday's special occasion across the city did allow Howe a moment to enjoy what he and his team had achieved.

A brilliant banner from the Sandman Hotel clearly left him emotional and he couldn't quite believe the turnout as he waved from the bus and spoke emotionally on the Town Moor stage.

Discussing Saturday, he said: "Yeah, an amazing day, still some vivid memories of it, and I think. Just a massive thank you to everybody that turned up - as it was cold!

"It just goes to show, I think the numbers that we have that are willing to support the team and, as you say, not everyone could get to Wembley and we know football is expensive to either to travel or to buy tickets for games.

"So that was an opportunity for everyone, en masse to come and support the team and and show their love and it was, it was an amazing day and it shows the power football possesses it can change people's mood, can change the city's mood, and I just think it was a great day for everyone connected in Newcastle."