Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle United are going to have to be a 'different team' next season and 'much better' in every department to cope with greater expectations.
It was not so long ago that Howe was bracing himself for Newcastle's survival fight to potentially go to the final day of the season, when the Magpies are due to face relegation-threatened Burnley at Turf Moor. Howe, after all, took over a winless side languishing in 19th place last November and the aim this season was to simply stay up by whatever means possible.
Although it has not been mathematically confirmed just yet, Newcastle have effectively achieved that objective and Howe's side currently sit nine points clear of the drop zone. There is still a chance that Newcastle could finish in the top half of the table and a lot is riding on these final games and final training sessions of the season for the players, who are still fighting for their futures.
