Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent has been left stunned by Eddie Howe’s ability to improve several Newcastle United players. It is no secret that the Toon boss’ greatest satisfaction as a coach comes on the training pitch.
Rigorous sessions are now the norm at the club’s Benton base - with few days off - and that reflects on a matchday. Newcastle supporters have witnessed their side become fitter, despite adopting a more gung-ho philosophy since Howe’s arrival.
Individuals whose days looked numbered on Tyneside are now one of the first names on the team sheet. Joelinton - signed as a striker - endured two painful seasons at St James’ Park following a record-breaking £40million move but is now a man reborn in midfield.
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Miguel Almiron was reportedly considering a move away, with his agent Daniel Campos demanding summer talks with Toon chiefs earlier this year. However, a drastic turnaround has seen the Paraguayan flourish and, for the first time in almost four years, become a goal threat.
Four strikes already in 2022-23 means 31% of his total Premier League goals have been scored this season. The likes of Fabian Schar, Emil Krafth and Ryan Fraser have also enjoyed a renaissance under Howe.
Speaking to Premier League productions, Bent hailed the Newcastle boss’ impact after the Brentford win. He said: “What he (Howe) has done for people like Joelinton… Players like Joelinton, who was a centre-forward, they brought him in to score goals - but that wasn’t his game.
“They put him in central midfield and now he looks like a world-beater. Almiron, at the minute, is on a different planet. His goal against Fulham, another one against Brentford - he has been phenomenal. So Eddie Howe, and his coaching staff, deserve huge credit.”
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