The improvement in Newcastle United’s defence has not gone unnoticed with the side drastically reducing the number of goals conceded - and it also serves as an off-the-field reminder of the unity that runs throughout the club.
At this point in proceedings last season, Newcastle had already shipped 14 goals in their opening six games - that tally lies at just six goals conceded so far this campaign. United’s leaky defence was once an age-old problem as a lack of investment under the previous owner left managers without the quality additions they often needed.
However, under the current ownership of Amanda Staveley, Jamie Reuben and the Public Investment Fund - the group has backed their manager with proactive measures. It was often the case that under Mike Ashley, transfer additions would be reactive to a problem caused by a lack of investment as those in the dugout, be that Rafa Benitez or Steve Bruce, had to work within difficult transfer parameters.
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Yet the approach these days is very much to act before a problem arises. Howe has been handed the defensive additions that he wanted from very early on in his tenure. The arrival of Kieran Trippier was the starting point before Matt Targett and Dan Burn shored up the defence for the remainder of last season. Sven Botman, who United bid for in that January window, arrived in the summer with Nick Pope also added to the squad.
It highlights the unity running throughout the club - from the boardroom down to the training pitch. A manager pointing out the issues, the remedy being searched and found by the scouting department, and the deals being sanctioned by owners willing to invest to secure the long-term future of the club.
There is a workflow in place and a real desire to build the club into a force. If Plan A does not work, there is a Plan B, and so on.
It marks a strong contrast to what went before - for all the criticism thrown at Bruce, it’s no secret that he, like Benitez before him, wanted a top-class centre-back to come in but was never afforded one. The problem of a decent left-back was one that some would argue ran for most of Ashley’s ownership.
United were often guilty of producing problems of their own making under Ashley but under this ownership, there can be no accusations of stagnation or being caught out.
Yes, the search for a striker took longer than expected and the injury to Callum Wilson forced the hand of the club somewhat but the groundwork had already been laid to bring Alexander Isak to Newcastle. The character checks and the scouting reports told those at the club just what a good player they would be getting - it was just left to them to meet the asking price.
The very fact they did in the end, again highlights the approach of doing things as quickly as they can, instead of waiting until the last minute and gambling - something that often caught out Ashley. Even when Staveley and co. have had to react to an unforeseen circumstance, such as the injury to Karl Darlow, they have done so in a fast and brutal nature bringing in a replacement as soon as possible.
United’s defence is in the best shape it has been in for many-a-year, and it’s down to a unified approach; the work on the training pitch is matched by the work in the boardroom. It sounds so simple but it’s not something Newcastle fans have all that used to in recent years.
And it's something that will continue. The transfer window may be closed but work doesn't stop to ensure the club can hit the ground running come January 1st with improving the squad with every signing the priority.
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