Eddie Howe gained’t be named Premier League Supervisor of the 12 months – however why not?
The job he has accomplished since taking cost of Newcastle United has been nothing in need of sensational – you could possibly even argue he has carried out miracles on Tyneside since taking cost simply six months in the past.
Sure, Newcastle misplaced to Liverpool on Saturday – however that was their first residence league defeat of 2022. And it’s actually no shame to lose in opposition to top-of-the-line groups on the planet.
Having held Liverpool to only a 1-0 loss, you’ll assume that Howe would take quite a bit from this recreation, probably much more than Jurgen Klopp.
Howe insists he takes little or no from the sport because of the defeat, however acknowledges the progress they’ve made.
“I’m not comfortable to lose any recreation, there was progress, it exhibits there’s a hole we now have to bridge to prime groups, we now have work to do,” he admitted after the loss to Liverpool. “We all know there’s a number of work to do, however from the place we’re, we now have improved quite a bit. “
The Magpies have been nicely crushed ultimately, however they caught round and if you examine the 2 groups, it’s one thing of an achievement for Howe to even get this crew competing near the extent of quadruple-chasing Liverpool.
The very fact, although, that Newcastle began the day within the top-half of the desk can’t be over-looked.
Let’s look again to November twentieth final yr, the date of Howe’s first recreation in command of the membership – though he had to take action from a resort room as he caught Covid-19 within the build-up.
The primary recreation resulted in a 3-3 draw with Brentford, a end result which truly noticed Newcastle drop to the underside of the Premier League desk.
Issues may solely get higher for the Magpies and Howe, as regardless of basking within the delight of recent house owners and their wealth, relegation was looming as they went into December, nonetheless with out a victory.
On Boxing Day, Newcastle have been nonetheless second from backside of the desk with only one win to their identify, however into 2022 and the New 12 months, issues have modified.
Trying on the Premier League desk from January 1, it makes outstanding studying. Not due to who’s prime, nevertheless – little shock that’s Liverpool who’re the shape crew in European soccer.
Liverpool have a close to 100% report with their solely blips being two attracts in opposition to their fundamental rivals Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea.
However second to them is Newcastle.
Sure, Newcastle are the second finest crew within the Premier League in 2022 – even taking within the defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.
Evaluate that to when Howe took cost, after they have been with out a win and the worst crew within the league. It defies logic, however these are the information.
Sure, Howe and Newcastle made some strikes in January, but it surely was not only a matter of throwing cash on the downside – they went with what they wanted and all their signings have been glorious.
Kieran Trippier’s arrival from Atletico Madrid reworked issues, actually set the ball in movement however Matt Targett, Dan Burn and club-record signing Bruno Guimaraes have been excellent.
However it’s most likely what Howe and his workers have accomplished with the gamers already on the membership that has been essentially the most spectacular.
Joelinton is definitely beginning to appear like a participant value near his £40m price-tag having been reinvented as a midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey is trying just like the captain he’s, whereas Fabian Schar has gone from the brink of leaving the membership to being handed a brand new deal solely this week.
I used to be one who questioned whether or not Howe had it in him to maintain Newcastle up, and never that he will probably be remotely bothered, he has proven me and others simply how unsuitable we’re.
