24HR TOON SERVICE
Howe holed up in hotel room planning survival bid... and he can’t wait to get out and see fans
EDDIE HOWE can’t wait until he can have a proper night on the Toon.
The Newcastle boss was stunned by the emotional scenes of celebration that greeted the club’s first win of the season at St James’ Park last weekend.
But he has been working from dawn to dusk since arriving on Tyneside last month with the Magpies cut adrift at the bottom of the table and is yet to sample the delights of the football-crazy city.
The narrow victory over Burnley was only a small step towards Premier League safety – and Newcastle remain in the bottom three as they embark on a run of games that begins at Leicester and is followed by Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
But Howe said: “It was a really uplifting experience for me last week, because it’s the first time I’ve been able to share that winning feeling with the players and fans.
“To look up at the stands, seeing them full and everyone being so supportive in their appreciation of what the players had just delivered, was an amazing moment.
“I hope it’s the first of many to come. I am very thankful for what the supporters have given me in the short period of time that I’ve been at the club.
“They have been absolutely amazing with me and I want to give them more. I want to share those experiences with them on a more regular basis. That’s what I am pushing the players to do every time we train.”
Howe shared a meal with the Newcastle squad and his backroom staff on Thursday in a bid to feed the feel-good factor.
He was forced to self-isolate in his city-centre hotel room after contracting Covid and his reign kicked off with a home draw with
Brentford. But Newcastle have lost just one of his five games in charge and Howe is burning the candle at both ends to ensure the recent Saudi takeover of the club doesn’t fall flat.
He added: “It’s too dark when I’m going in and out of the training ground for anyone to see me.
“And I’ve had very limited time to get out and about.
“I’ve been for a couple of meals in the city, just to get out of the hotel because the same food and environment can be difficult.
“So I haven’t got too many stories to share about the fans yet. But, hopefully, through time, I will get a chance to have more interaction with the supporters.
“The ones I have seen in and around the hotel have been very friendly and have spoken positively about the team.”
Howe will not allow the tough Christmas schedule to hamper the positivity generated by the takeover and his arrival. He won’t be allowing his players to party over the festive period – but the response from his squad has been good.
Callum Wilson (left) was the match-winner last weekend and Howe has seen a big change in the 29-year-old striker since the days when they worked together with great success at Bournemouth.
Howe said: “Callum is very focused. I also think his leadership qualities have definitely improved. He’s a big character in the group.
“Callum always had a very good outlook on life and football when I worked with him previously at Bournemouth.
“He’s a really positive guy. He always believed he would score goals and contribute for the team.
“He is looking to boost other people rather than purely focusing on himself.
“He’s giving a lot to the club. He’s taken that burden of the No.9 shirt – and it’s not an easy thing to do.”