EDDIE THE PERFECT CHIEF AT THE RIGHT TYNE
SHAKA:
IT took Newcastle United just 21 minutes to demonstrate the difference between being a team and just a collection of individuals. That was all the time they had needed on April 23 to slam five goals past a Tottenham side who did not know what had hit them. Following that 6-1 thrashing, the north Londoners sacked caretaker manager Cristian Stellini – after just four matches in charge. Meanwhile, Newcastle marched on. They followed up that demolition job with a 4-1 bashing of relegation-threatened Everton and then a 3-1 win against Southampton – 13 goals in three games bringing their dream of qualifying for the Champions League another step closer. Ex-goalkeeper Shaka Hislop played in the competition for the club back in 1997-98. But, as Europe’s greatest club stage once again beckons, he believes Eddie Howe now faces his biggest test – strengthening the playing squad while maintaining the unity that has taken them so far this season. It is a challenge Hislop (right) believes his former Portsmouth team-mate will rise to. Hislop said: “It has been incredible. Eddie took over Newcastle when they were in the bottom three – I think they were rooted to the bottom of the table when he came in. “To see Newcastle where they are now, pushing for a top-four place just 18 months later, it has been an incredible turnaround. “I don’t know how to put into words what we’ve witnessed from them since he came in. “I was up in Newcastle last year and the feeling around the club is that the owners aren’t going to spend ridiculous amounts of money, as has been suggested. “They’re going to do things methodically and they’re going to have an approach about the way they go about their business. Keep in mind that Eddie (above) has only had three transfers and one of those was when the club were in the bottom three and staring relegation in the face.
“This team continues to grow and continues to make the right signings, at the right price.
“They’ve done things sensibly. It’s quite easy to just throw money at a problem without any real direction. Chelsea is the perfect example of how that can go expensively wrong.”
One only needs to look at the kind of sums splurged at Stamford Bridge, and at Everton, in recent seasons to appreciate the problems that indiscriminate overspending can bring.
Chelsea are currently marooned in the bottom half of the table, despite spending £323million in the January transfer window. Everton have spent more than £500m since 2016, but now find themselves in a serious battle against relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle, in contrast, are going from strength to strength and look set to seal Champions League football for the first time in more than 20 years. A victory against title-chasers Arsenal this afternoon at St James’ Park – a ground where they have lost just once all season – would bring that dream one step closer.
But, regardless of what happens, Hislop is expecting the club’s transfer strategy to remain largely unchanged.
“Newcastle and Eddie’s approach has been fantastic,” he added.
“The fact is that, if players come in and are put on exorbitant wages, then it becomes a longterm issue for any club.
“When the time comes for players’ contracts to be renewed, or when you’re trying to sign other players, everyone is asking for the same kind of money and it’s simply not sustainable. “It can also create a divided dressing room. “That won’t happen at Newcastle.”