Jamie Carragher has dismissed the focus on Newcastle United's transfer spending and believes the club's resurgence is down to the 'outstanding work' led by Eddie Howe. The Magpies guaranteed they will occupy a top-four spot at Christmas with a comfortable victory at Southampton in their last outing.
It means Howe's side have now won six of their last seven matches, and this form has led to talk of whether they can qualify for next season's Champions League. Carragher feels a top-four finish is a step too far for Newcastle this term, but accepts their start to the campaign means they have to be included in the 'conversation'.
Miguel Almiron is the latest first-team star to show drastic improvements under Howe, and the Sky Sports pundit believes the whole squad now look 'good' top-flight players. Carragher also feels the former Bournemouth boss has delivered an emphatic response to the questions that lingered after relegation in his final season and his previous stint at Burnley.
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Speaking on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet, Carragher said: “Eddie Howe is currently the best performing Premier League manager this season, in terms of what he’s getting from his players. People will say he has spent a lot of money, but when you look at that team, it doesn’t look like a lot has been spent - they all look like good, solid Premier League players. What he’s getting out of that team, to be in the position they are in, is outstanding.
“Eddie did a brilliant job at Bournemouth, but there was always that feeling about whether he could manage a big club – or if he was just outperforming at his own little club where he’s always been. He went to Burnley, which didn’t go too well, and for him to move up north – all these questions were being thrown at him.
“It’s been massive for Eddie Howe to go to Newcastle and prove how good of a manager he is. I’m sure the ownership will spend more money as the seasons go on and get higher quality players. The players that they have in now were just to keep them up initially, and then to help them with their next steps.
“Champions League wasn’t the next step in their eyes, it would’ve more likely have been challenging for a Europa League spot. The players they have are not Champions League quality. They won’t get top four just yet, but they’re in the conversation, which shows Eddie Howe is getting more out of his players than anybody else.”
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