Eddie Howe has transformed Newcastle from relegation certainties to top-half candidates in less than four months. After a difficult start - with just one win in his opening 10 games - the fruits of Howe’s labour on the training ground are finally paying off and Premier League football next season looks a formality.
It is easy to forget just how perilous the table looked when the former Bournemouth boss arrived on the scene at St James’ Park. A 1-1 draw with Brighton in November left Newcastle winless and five points adrift from safety - despite playing a game more than 17th-placed Leeds.
Fast forward to the present and the Magpies are second in the form table, unbeaten in eight, have won five of their last six games - conceding just five goals in the process. Howe’s achievement has seen him nominated for the Premier League’s manager of the month award for February.
