Eddie gets glimpse at Howe big a job he’s walking into
THERE was one nagging question for Eddie Howe at the Amex Stadium.
The incoming Toon chief, flanked by his employer, Amanda Staveley, sat in the directors’ box taking a first look at his new charges.
And the first thought that must have been uppermost in his mind was: “What do I have to work with?”
At half-time the answer would have been simple. Not much.
There hadn’t been one single shot on target from the visitors, the hosts were playing well within themselves.
And they were winning courtesy of yet another defensive howler from Newcastle.
Another depressing day at the office beckoned but drowning men will grab anything in a bid to save themselves and, out of the depths of yet more impending misery, appeared a shaft of light.
From nowhere emerged an equalising goal which might suggest to Howe that there is a willingness to fight.
Every team needs that quality and it has been all too easy for Newcastle’s players to hide behind the fact their fanbase despised former owner Mike Ashley and didn’t have much time for previous manager Steve Bruce.
Finally – and however overdue it might have been – the players showed they care.
What started as a routine passage to three points for the Seagulls ended with the tables turned.
It is that character Howe will need to harness – quickly – if this survival fight is to be won.
For large chunks of the opening period, Newcastle were poor.
They fed off scraps. When they won the ball, there was little idea of what to do with it.
It took just over half-an-hour for the 3,100 travelling supporters to break out into a chant of ‘Attack, attack, attack.’
But it wasn’t so much that the will wasn’t there – it was. However, there’s a gap between talking a good game and playing one.
And even though there was a willingness to do the right thing, the know-how and confidence to make the correct decision was painfully lacking.
It was evident from the opening goal.
Referee David Coote eventually decided that Leandro Trossard had been fouled by Ciaran Clark as he tried to close his man down.
But had the Belgian not found himself with the ball at his feet from a corner after a non-existent challenge had allowed him to work an opportunity to shoot, then the penalty would never have been.
It is basic stuff. And if you cannot do the basics properly at this level of football you are going to get punished.
Slowly, however, Newcastle’s willingness to graft knocked their opponents out of their stride. And Isaac Hayden found a finish to match.
By the final whistle, Howe had an answer to his question. The quality might not yet be there but the industry and desire certainly are.
It is, at least, something for him to work with.