Magpies fit for action but not new boss Eddie
COVID-HIT Eddie Howe will miss his first game in charge of Newcastle after having shaken up his new squad with a training regime branded as “10 days of 100 percent intensity”.
The new Newcastle manager says he spent a year out of work preparing for the moment he took over a club again – and Matt Ritchie revealed not a moment has been wasted.
Howe, 43, has been given a warm welcome by Tyneside fans and has felt “a real yearning from the supporters to be successful, to produce a team that they enjoy watching”.
He said: “That’s the big challenge ahead for us. You can sense that it’s a huge job.”
Howe has upped the ante in training, physically and mentally.
He has pledged to bring the best out of record £40million signing Joelinton, below, and unlock the best of Jonjo Shelvey’s passing talent. Ritchie, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser have been helping to educate team-mates about Howe’s methods and demands.
Training has been held at St James’ Park to get the players more comfortable with their playing environment – including visualisation. A new pre-match warm- up was rehearsed.
Staff have held a bonding afternoon out at a Gosforth restaurant and pub – but without alcohol. “Taking the staff to the pub? That’s a dangerous headline. I wanted to get to know everyone,” said Howe.
Ex-Bournemouth boss Howe, who wants training to be at game pace, said: “Whenever a new manager goes into a new club, one of the first things he looks at is fitness levels.
“The stats show they haven’t been too bad fitness-wise, so it’s just more a case of getting two or three percent more out of them. They are a fit group but we can top that up and just make them a little bit stronger and, hopefully, late in games that can make the difference for us.”
Explaining the training trip to St James’ Park, Howe said: “I don’t think it does the players any harm to play in their home stadium and just feel comfortable in that environment. It was twofold. For the staff to get used to the surroundings and to get the players used to our matchday warm-up.”
There is also renewed hope for Brazilian striker Joelinton, with Howe saying: “He can be a huge player for us. From what I’ve seen in training, he’s a technical player, very good feet, intelligent.”
Left wing-back Ritchie has been impressed with his new manager, saying: “Eddie’s brought his culture of improvement, maximising in all areas. He’s put his stamp on the group and is the perfect fit for the club.” ❑MANAGING director Lee Charnley who ran the club for Mike Ashley, departed yesterday after a handover period. He said: “To have been at Newcastle for 22 years has been an honour.”