'Newcastle Are Now Playing A More Offensive Formation'
- The Chronicle's Chief Newcastle United Writer, Lee Ryder provides an insight into the North East outfit
- Eddie Howe’s appointment as manager has changed the mood around the club, he believes
- The Magpies travel to King Power Stadium on Sunday to face Leicester City (2pm GMT kick-off)
- Newcastle won their first Premier League game of 2021/22 last time out, beating Burnley
The Magpies recorded their first three points of the Premier League season last weekend, defeating Burnley 1-0 at St. James’ Park to move off the bottom of the standings and within three points of safety heading into the latest round of fixtures.
While the result was a huge boost, it is also the attacking style of play that Howe chooses to deploy which Newcastle fans have got on board with, Ryder says.
“The takeover that went through in October has given the city a real lift,” he revealed to LCFC Radio’s Matchday Live earlier this week. “The supporters feel like they’ve got their club back after 14 unhappy years. They’ve now got Eddie Howe in who has brought a fresh look to the team, which was needed.
“Things are upbeat again, although they are still in the relegation zone so there’s a lot of work to be done, but I think all the fans are buying into that and what a difficult job it’s going to be for Howe. They are looking to do their bit to pull the team away from danger.
“Most of the fans have been brought up on the Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson eras. Those were attacking teams and, regardless of the result, as long as the team pushed and attacked and created chances and excitement in and around the box, people went home relatively happy most of the time.
“It’s a more offensive formation, where the team are going forward, rather than just trying to hold out to get a draw. He’s ditched the five at the back, so there’s obviously a much more fluid formation going forward.”
The North East side drew three of their first four games under Howe, ahead of defeating the Clarets, while there is also hope that they can continue their recent record when travelling to King Power Stadium, ahead of Sunday’s fixture.
And with the top two - Liverpool and Manchester City - next up in the league before Christmas, followed by the visit of Manchester United, there is an urgency to back up their maiden victory of the campaign this weekend.
“Things haven’t been perfect, even on Howe’s watch,” Ryder admitted. “They lost at Arsenal, drew at home to Norwich in a game they should have won, but went down to 10 men.
“There’s room for improvement in a lot of areas but in terms of creating chances and that little bit of excitement again, it’s starting to pick up and it makes for a good game going into this trip to Leicester.
“Eddie Howe said he would try and entertain, but by the same token, we know there’s some tough games coming up and, if you push too hard against these teams, you can get picked off. This is the beginning of three interesting games for Newcastle. Leicester away, Liverpool away and then Man City at home.
“We’ve won three of the last four down there. Last season’s game was remarkable, but it was against a Leicester team that did have the FA Cup Final in their minds and obviously went on to win the cup.
“It was a good night but that was then, this is now, and it is going to be tough. We have been down to King Power Stadium and suffered some bad results, not least the 5-0 under Steve Bruce. We know what it’s going to be like down there, it’s going to be a tough, tough game and Brendan Rodgers will be keen to put things right from last week.”
A return of six goals in 11 Premier League games, including the winner last Saturday, places Callum Wilson at the top of Newcastle’s goalscoring charts so far this term and, now reunited with his former manager from AFC Bournemouth, Ryder believes he can continue the form which has made the England striker an integral figure in their attack.
“He is our main source of goals; he is the top goalscorer,” Ryder explained. “His goal record is phenomenal since he signed for the club. There are other goal threats, you’ve got Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton has got his first goal of the season as well, so he will be a threat.
“And you’ve got people who can chip in from midfield as well. Joe Willock hasn’t scored this season but got seven in seven towards the end of last season. There are other candidates who can get goals, but Callum Wilson is certainly the main man.”