Newcastle United resurgence: The Magpies on the rise under head coach Eddie Howe

After the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Newcastle United has moved 15 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. The Magpies have been in superb form off late, having won three consecutive league games. Eddie Howe’s side started the month with a 5-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur but then went on to register victories against Wolves, Leicester and the Eagles. The takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in October along with the mastermind of the English tactician Howe has helped the team to turn their fortunes. 

Read more:

Erik ten Hag news: Manchester United appoint Ajax coach as new permanent manager

EDDIE HOWE’S BLACK AND WHITE ARMY! ?? pic.twitter.com/v9kf3HoocH

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 20, 2022

Newcastle hadn’t won a single game until December, secured their first win against Leeds United on 22 January, and from then on, they remained unbeaten for seven games before losing 1-0 to chelsea at stamford Bridge. 

Although there was a slight downfall which saw the Magpies losing three games on the trot. But they managed to get back on track, with victories over Wolves, Leicester and the Eagles. Splashing out money with some sensibility in the January transfer window has had a huge impact on the team’s positive run.

Impact of January signings

The statement signing of full-back Keiran Trippier from Atletico Madrid was followed by Brighton & Hove Albion central defender Dan Burn, Burnley striker Chris wood and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, as well as the left-back Matt Targett on loan.

Although Trippier struggled with injuries and managed to make just four league appearances, scoring two times, the Englishman galvanised the squad. Burn has provided the much needed solidity to the Newcastle defence. His physical presence and aerial dominance helps the team at both ends during set pieces. The 29-year-old centre-back insisted Newcastle don’t want to stop after hitting the magic 40-point mark following the Crystal Palace win. 

Burn said: “Well 40 is the magic number, but until it’s done, we will just keep going. We don’t want to stop here, we want to go as high as we can. I think it’s some achievement from where we were when the ownership came in to where we are now.”

Newcastle are able to produce multiple heroes on different occasions. Their latest success came courtesy of Miguel Almiron’s brilliant 32nd minute strike against the Eagles. Meanwhile, on Sunday, Guimaraes scored a double to secure all three points against the Foxes. The Brazilian midfielder netted a 95th minute winner to clinch a victory against Leicester.   

Guimaraes is proving to be a very useful box-to-box midfielder. The 24-year-old joined the Magpies from Lyon in the winter and has scored three goals in 12 league appearances. Meanwhile it was his assist from which Almiron scored the winner against Crystal Palace.

Howe’s simple yet effective game plan

Howe has done a fantastic job to register nine wins in the last 14 league games and take Newcastle to the 11th spot in the standings. The 44-year-old tactician has tweaked Newcastle’s system rather than rip everything up and start again, which might have been a temptation. 

He has ensured that the Magpies are hard to break and at the same time made sure that the quality up front is able to get the ball inside the net. Newcastle doesn’t rely on too much ball possession, they are happy to sit deep and defend and prefers hit the opposition on the counter. 

Almiron and Saint-Maximin have enough pace and quality to trouble even the best defenders in the league. Meanwhile Wood has been an unsung hero in the team, the 30-year-old centre-forward, provides the much needed control up front.

Wood had great physical prowess to hold the ball and allowed the likes of Almiron and Saint-Maximin to excel around him. Meanwhile Joe Willock has also turned into a complete player, with the former Arsenal midfielder now working tirelessly in the midfield. 

Newcastle are now level on points with 10th-placed Brighton and with five more games to go, they are well on course to achieve a top-ten finish, which would be a remarkable achievement, considering the disastrous start they had.