Head coach using psychology to instil confidence into Magpies During survival battle while Schar earns praise

EDDIE Howe has revealed he has been doing ‘lots of psychological work’ with Newcastle United’s ‘really motivated’ players as the Magpies attempt to defy the odds and pull off a great escape.

Newcastle finally won their first game of the season on Saturday after Howe’s spirited side beat relegation rivals Burnley 1-0 at St James’ Park.

Although Newcastle have some brutal fixtures to come over the festive period, the Magpies have renewed belief after moving off the bottom of the table and closing the gap to safety to just three points.

No team have ever stayed up after failing to win any of their opening 14 Premier League games, but Howe has challenged his players to ‘change history’.

“I’m a firm believer in psychology,” the Newcastle head coach said. “It’s so important for professional athletes and in team sports.

“You have to take to the pitch believing you can win. Sometimes, you have to actually win to believe it, to feel it.

“We’ve done lots of psychological work with the players. There’s probably not one thing. It’s a combination of lots of things and I’ve always worked that way to try and get the group to think in a certain way, to believe in certain things, to highlight the power and importance of certain themes that we’re trying to get into them.

“But I have to say I’ve seen a group that have been really motivated and willing to give their all for the team. I think you can see that.

“We didn’t carry anyone out of possession; everyone, to a man, knew the importance of defending and

putting their bodies on the line and we got our rewards.”

One of those who played his part in United’s defensive stand was Switzerland international Fabian Schar (right), who has come in from the cold since Howe took over.

The scorer of Newcastle’s final goal of the last campaign, the experienced centre-back was given few opportunities by former Magpies head coach Steve Bruce this season.

But Howe said the 29-year-old, whose deal was extended by a year in the summer and is set to expire in June, has impressed and is part of his plans at St James’ Park.

The former Bournemouth manager said: “I think Fabian has been excellent.

I have been an admirer of Fabian from afar for a long, long time. I think he’s a fantastic footballer.

“He fits my mould as to what I want for a centre-back. He can handle the ball, he’s very creative.

“He has shown his defensive resilience and mentality to not want to concede.

“Fabian has defended really well and of course that is every defender’s first port of call.

“I thought together with Jamaal Lascelles he was excellent.”