Pundit and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Eddie Howe has restored the ‘feel-good’ factor at Newcastle United since his appointment in November 2021. Howe arrived at St James’ Park with the Magpies rooted to the foot of the table but inspired them to 12 wins from their final 19 games (D2 L5) to propel them into 11th place.
He also oversaw their first transfer window under the new ownership, with the signings of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood, along with Matt Targett on loan, providing them with an incredible boost.
The Newcastle boss has added defensive reinforcements in the shape of England goalkeeper Nick Pope and Dutch defender Sven Botman this summer, while Targett’s loan has been converted into a permanent deal.
Nonetheless, Newcastle are still chasing further ammunition in attack with a winger and a centre-forward at the top of their priority list. But as they embark on their first full season under new ownership, Keane is excited by the ‘change of mindset’ at Newcastle.
“He [Howe] brought the feel-food factor,” Keane said on the Sky Bet Debate. “There was a change of mindset with the new owners coming in. The fans are delighted. There are new people on board and new signings coming in and they are playing some decent stuff.
“The home form in the second half of the season was fantastic so I think the energy around the club is hugely important to him.”
Keane was joined on the panel by Micah Richards and former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness. Both agreed that the level of spending, coupled with their extraordinary end to last season, will intensify expectation levels on Tyneside.
“The pressure is enormous at that football club,” Souness declared. “When you start spending money up there that’s when the pressure mounts and the expectation level goes through the roof.
“The fact that they’ve got the owners they have now, the expectation is enormous so I’m sure Eddie realises he’s under pressure.”
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