Nobby Solano has applauded the performance of Eddie Howe with the Newcastle United legend believing he has changed the culture at St James' Park in just a few months. Solano says that Howe "inherited a mess" after the Mike Ashley era with players simply walking from the treatment room and back into the starting line-up for years under the Sports Direct magnate's tenure.
But in just four months, Howe has instilled a different mentality at Benton with players knowing they have to fight for a place. Indeed, Howe made this clear when omitting Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis, experienced midfielder Isaac Hayden and one-time captain Ciaran Clark from his squad for the second half of the campaign.
Howe has also hauled Newcastle away from the danger zone and within five points of the top 10, with Solano feeling fans can at least be optimistic about qualifying for Europe again in the long-term.
