Eddie Howe knew the day he took the Newcastle United job that pressure was always going to be the price on the ticket at St James' Park. However, he feels that under the Saudi-backed regime he agreed to work with last November, that there is little chance of any knee-jerk reactions from those at the top.
Even when Howe won just one of his first nine games in charge and suffered a shock defeat against Cambridge, club supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan simply offered more support last January. As United fans celebrate a successful first year in charge under new owners, Howe spoke of the club's layers of support on and off the field.
He said: "It's hugely important because, without those structures in place, the long-term success isn't going to happen. First of all, you need good people in the right positions with a long-term plan and they need the freedom to execute that.
