Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall have been praised for spending Newcastle United's newfound wealth 'wisely' in the transfer market. That is the view of ex-Magpies midfielder Lee Bowyer, who has also tipped his former side to seal at least a top-six finish this season.
Newcastle have lost just once so far this campaign, and return to Premier League action on Boxing Day with an away fixture at Leicester City. Victory at the King Power Stadium would lift the Magpies into second, although champions Manchester City would hold two games in hand to overturn a one-point deficit.
Howe has been backed by a transfer spend in excess of £200 million since his appointment last November, with big-money moves for the likes of Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. However, the former Bournemouth boss has also prioritised the right characters and Premier League experience, with Dan Burn, Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, and Chris Wood all making an impact.
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Bowyer believes Newcastle must prioritise transfer targets who can handle the 'different pressures' of playing in black-and-white in front of a capacity crowd at St James' Park. The former Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic manager is confident the Magpies are on track to become a 'big force' in the next couple of years.
Bowyer told talkSPORT: "I'd say they will stay in the top six. The way Eddie and Jason have done it has been very, very good. The way they've spent the money wisely, they've not gone for crazy superstars because I'm guessing the money is there for them to do that. They've said this is the type of personality that we need at this club.
"Knowing Newcastle the way I do, you have to be a certain person to handle the pressures up there because it is different pressures. 50,000 [fans] no matter what, whether you're in the Championship or in the Premier League, they're there.
"They demand you give everything for that shirt, so I think the players they've bought in have been very wise and good additions to the squad. They've improved them slowly but surely, and I think in the next few years they will be a big force."
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