Mikel Merino is 'sure' that the atmosphere at St James' Park has played its part in Newcastle United's recent turnaround after the former Magpies midfielder was moved by the 'crazy' noise inside the stadium during his time at the club.
Newcastle have work to do yet to stay up but the black-and-whites are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place with nine games to go. In contrast, just a few months ago, Newcastle were languishing in 19th.
Newcastle may have lost their last two games, away at Chelsea and Everton, but Eddie Howe's side have been particularly strong at home. Newcastle have triumphed in their last three matches at St James' Park and the Magpies have only suffered one league defeat at home under Howe - and that was against champions Man City three months ago.
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Howe has picked up 16 points at St James', which works out at around 62% of his overall tally to date, and that return should not come as a huge surprise given the remarkable noise inside the stadium in recent months. Even Kieran Trippier admitted the atmosphere was 'something I've probably not experienced in my career'.
Some managers have been a little daunted by that passionate support over the years, but Howe has been keen to tap into it since taking charge last November. Howe has repeatedly credited Newcastle supporters for helping his side over the line during tense finales and the 44-year-old has made a point of instructing players and staff to salute the fans at the end of every game whether the Magpies win, lose or draw.
Newcastle's strong record at St James' has not come as a shock to Merino, who has been keeping an eye on his former side from afar while playing at Real Sociedad. The Spain international only spent a season on Tyneside, but those fans certainly left a mark on him.
"When you play away, you felt the energy so imagine when you were playing at home?" Merino told ChronicleLive.
"The atmosphere was crazy in how they were supporting the team on any given day. It didn't matter who you are playing against. You could play against the bottom side in the table and it was a full, packed stadium.
"Even if you just had a little chance or a set-piece, the crowd was going crazy. That was something that helped the team a lot and you can see now the team is flying. I'm sure St James' Park is one of the reasons why."
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