Eddie Howe has two main strategies for coping with the stress of managing Newcastle United during a suddenly bleak midwinter.
His boxer dog, Willis, has been going on longer-than-usual walks in the Northumberland countryside near the Howe family’s new house north of the city. Meanwhile, his owner deliberately avoids paying attention to the media’s reports about the team’s recent streak of six losses in seven games.
“He’s such a helpful companion,” he stated, referring to his dog. “His constant readiness for physical activity allows me to take a break from everything. I intentionally limit my exposure to media and prioritize what truly matters to me.” He also expressed gratitude for the few supporters he has encountered, acknowledging their understanding and support towards his experiences.
“I disregard criticism, but I am aware of the story. I am not unintelligent. I am familiar with the inquiries being posed. It does give me motivation. As a human being, that is only natural. I strive to perform well and am completely driven.”
Howe’s laser focus on his work has led him to intentionally embrace a solitary way of living. His commitment is so strong that even compared to the highly industrious Rafael Benítez, his previous counterpart, he appears as a mere amateur.
Unfortunately, Howe’s tactical prowess seems to have vanished. While Newcastle achieved a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, their exciting and aggressive high-pressing play no longer showcased the manager’s exceptional training skills.
Unfortunately, this season, participating in the Champions League has significantly reduced Howe’s coaching time. Additionally, their exhausting way of playing has caused their limited first-team squad to become tired and plagued with injuries. As a result, it has become routine for Howe to have two goalkeepers on the bench, which serves as a clear message to the team’s majority owners from Saudi Arabia that new players are necessary.
Although the Saudis’ ability to make moves in the transfer market is limited due to financial fair play regulations, Howe’s team has also been impacted by injuries which have prevented him from rotating his starting lineup. This could potentially be attributed to his decision to not rest players during a Carabao Cup run that ultimately ended in a loss on penalties against Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
He expressed confidence in the team’s skills and character, acknowledging that they have faced challenges recently. He emphasized the importance of not letting those challenges linger and instead focusing on bringing their best qualities to the field.
On Monday evening, he aims to begin the process at Liverpool as Newcastle faces a potentially risky January with additional Premier League matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa following their FA Cup third-round match against Sunderland on Saturday.
Although Howe’s performance in his initial two years as manager at Newcastle has been exceptional, his job security is still subject to the unpredictable decisions of the club’s minority shareholders, including Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, and Jamie Reuben. While they continue to fully back Howe and his long-term leadership at St James’ Park, the plans and intentions of the Saudi investors are still unclear.
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However, it would be a significant surprise if Howe was not given the opportunity to correct things in what the British owners, at least, anticipated to be a challenging season. Despite this, Howe is not disregarding the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League.
He stated that we will always strive for success in European football. Our goals for this season are still high and we remain determined to make a comeback. We refuse to give up and still have faith that we can compete. We will pursue a top four position if it is achievable and have not completely dismissed our chances.
“At this club, it is essential to consistently demonstrate one’s abilities. The players, including myself, are all subject to scrutiny and must constantly strive to improve. It is part of the job to face challenges and we understand the importance of performing at a higher level.”
Howe has faced criticism for not having an alternative strategy when the intense and aggressive pressing style fails and becomes a risky move. Despite Newcastle’s successful use of a defensive approach against Paris Saint-Germain and pushing Chelsea to a penalty shootout, this criticism seems unjustified. Howe is resolute in his belief that all important statistical indicators point to the team’s primary system being the best choice, referred to as “plan A”.
He stated that, like everyone else, he has many weaknesses, but one of his strong points is his ability to remain composed when faced with pressure.
“It is crucial to avoid overreacting or unfairly evaluating your team based on specific moments in a football game. I will not let the results sway me in a negative manner.”
Source: theguardian.com
