In Eddie Howe we trust

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The Mag

·3 October 2024

In Eddie Howe we trust

The draw against Manchester City for Eddie Howe and his players, felt like a ray of sunshine cutting through dreary clouds.

After the Fulham game, I almost considered skipping this one, expecting a battering – Rodri or no Rodri, but what a surprise!

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I’m not here to recount our heroics or analyse individual performances. Yes, I’m relieved to see us playing with the intensity and high press that we associate with an Eddie Howe team.

However, what impressed me most goes beyond that and it ties into what I want to focus on today, the words of two of the best coaches in the Premier League and what they said after the match.

Pep Guardiola, ever the gentleman, praised Eddie Howe for how Newcastle United played, even namechecking a few of our players and highlighting their attributes.

He also couldn’t resist a subtle dig at Arteta, remarking that Eddie is always polite and respectful towards the opposition in his interview, a characteristic he shared. High praise indeed.

However, here’s where it gets interesting. Pep Guardiola claimed that Man City controlled most of the game and only “lost” control for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Eddie Howe on the other hand, believed that we controlled the game much better than in our 3-3 draw against Man City at home, two seasons ago. So, who’s right?

As a regular fan, I’d instinctively agree with Guardiola. Like against Spurs, Man City dominated possession and, according to most pundits, deserved to win, but possession doesn’t necessarily equate to control. Here’s why I think Eddie’s view holds weight.

Man City, the reigning champions, were clear favourites to win this game, whether or not Rodri was in the line up. Guardiola’s philosophy is to dominate possession, slowly strangling opponents with intricate play until they’re starved of space and ideas.

Yet, I would argue it was Newcastle United who exercised true control in this match. Not in terms of possession, or shots on target, but in terms of strategy and execution.

Control isn’t just about dictating the tempo or hogging the ball. It’s about executing a game plan that maximises our chances of winning. It’s about nullifying the opponent’s strengths and hitting them in transition. It’s about staying disciplined in our shape, preventing Man City from playing the way they dismantle weaker teams.

Ultimately, we were the ones controlling the game, allowing them to dictate possession but rendering them toothless without even realising it

We can’t afford to go toe-to-toe with every team, trying to outplay them at their own gam, especially not Man City or Spurs, who thrive on possession. Our squad doesn’t yet have the technical skills to match these sides pass for pass. As against Spurs though, we shepherded their players into non-threatening areas, forcing speculative shots or hopeful crosses. Burn and Schär were more than happy to clean up those situations.

Similarly, our formation isn’t a rigid 4-3-3 with players confined to set roles. Eddie Howe has introduced a level of fluidity that allows us to adapt mid-game. Each player understands how their role shifts depending on the phase of play. A 433 could be a 4141 or 541 depending on certain situations. This adaptability takes time to perfect, which is why new signings need time to settle in and align with Eddie’s philosophy.

This is how good players become better under Eddie’s guidance. He nurtures their understanding, making them smarter on the pitch. And I, lacking his intellect and patience, will sit back and enjoy how he continues to transform this team.

Pace, power, and control. As long as we can avoid injuries, we’ll see not just high pressing and intensity, but also growing game intelligence. Eddie is moulding a team capable of controlling games on their own terms.

In Eddie Howe we trust.

Newcastle 1 Manchester City 1 – Saturday 28 September 12.30pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 58 pen

Man City:

Gvardiol 35

Possession was Newcastle 38% Man City 62%

Total shots were Newcastle 11 Man City 16

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 Man City 6

Corners were Newcastle 5 Man City 6

Touches in the box Newcastle 25 Man City 39