Lazy Newcastle myth debunked as Eddie Howe's genius…

Lazy Newcastle myth debunked as Eddie Howe's genius proven in Spurs hammering

There are still some pundits and rival supporters who put Newcastle's sudden surge up the Premier League down to transfer spending alone. On the face of it, you can make a small case for why some may still cling on to that defence.

A £200m outlay in 2022 and another £40m spent in January has certainly helped the Magpies disrupt the Premier League 'Big Six' at the first time of asking. Alexander Isak, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Bruno Guimaraes, among others, are proving shrewd acquisitions who have already won over hearts on Tyneside.

But a look at Newcastle's team on Sunday proves why Eddie Howe is a miracle worker - and why those lazy observations about the club's financial advantage are so wrong. The simple fact is nine out of the 16 Newcastle players who featured against Tottenham were players the Toon boss inherited from Steve Bruce.

Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy all started the 6-1 demolition, while Callum Wilson, Javi Manquillo, Miguel Almiron and Jamaal Lascelles emerged from the bench with the game already wrapped up.

Willock, who produced the assist of the season for Isak's first, is looking a player reborn under Howe's guidance. There are unsurprisingly growing calls for Gareth Southgate to give him his maiden senior cap at international level.

Murphy, who helped himself to two goals in the historic St James' Park win, is the latest player to have benefitted from Howe's personal touch on the training ground.

The fact is Howe has transformed almost every player he found at Newcastle upon taking the job in 2021. His influence is immeasurable and his name is near the very top of the shortlist for Premier League Manager of the Year.

Speaking after the 6-1 thrashing, Howe told reporters he wants his entire squad to believe they are capable of beating any side. “I’d encourage the players to think that we belong here,” he said.

“We need that confidence. If you have doubts when you play these kind of games, then that’s not a healthy place to be. We want the players to go into the games believing that we are the superior team.

"Now, to believe that takes very good preparation and then you also need the players’ inner belief to be very high. Hopefully, with the more wins like this we can get, the more that inner belief is strengthened.”

Lazy Newcastle myth debunked as Eddie Howe's genius proven in Spurs hammering

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