Eddie Howe's tactics: The grand plan to save Newcastle
The new era at Newcastle United is about to get underway. Excitement has been palpable on Tyneside since the arrival of the club's new Saudi owners and, whilst the appointment of new boss Eddie Howe has had more of a muted reception, there's no doubt that the Magpies' faithful will get behind the ex-Bournemouth man if results follow. Howe's tactics for Newcastle aren't yet known, but he will put his vision on display this Saturday with the visit of Brentford to St James Park.
It has been a miserable start to the season so far for Newcastle, with no wins in their first 11 games, leaving them second bottom ahead of only Norwich. But, with the financial backing of the Saudi Private Investment Fund and under the stewardship of chief executive officer Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghoudoussi (her husband and also part of PCP Capital Partners, who own 10 percent of the club) and Jamie Reuben of RB Sports & Media, there has been a step change in ambition.
"This takeover is hugely transformative," Staveley said.
"Do we want to win the Premier League within five to 10 years? Yes.
"We want to see trophies. But trophies need investment, time, patience and team work."
The club doesn't have a technical director - yet - but Staveley wasn't shy in wading into football matters in her first days, sacking Steve Bruce and bringing in Howe, with the latter striking all the right notes in his first press outing.
"I'm absolutely confident we can avoid relegation," he said.
"But I make no promises on that. All I can do is lead the club to the best of my abilities.
"I will give 100 percent every single day to try and bring success to Newcastle.
"We [he and the owners] have had some really good conversations and I have been really impressed with their vision for the club, but to be honest I haven't delved into it too much.
"It is all about the short term and the position of the team. Obviously we need to try and address that very quickly and move up the league and avoid relegation."
Backing of Eddie Howe
Howe already has the backing of club legend Alan Shearer.
"The facts are that Newcastle have a lot to do stay in the league", Shearer said.
"Howe is a guy who knows the league, who knows what it is like in that position.
"He understands the Premier League and what a big club Newcastle are and he will come back energised and it is a very wise signing.
"There are going to be mistakes made and the club is in a mess. It is in a better position than a month ago and there is hope there, but there is a lot of work to do and mistakes will be made."
Eddie Howe's updated tactics
When he was at Bournemouth, Howe's most commonly used tactical formation was a 4-4-2, but the new Newcastle coach has looked to evolve a little.
Howe revealed that he has been re-energised by taking time away from management and that he spent time in Spain learning from the likes of Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola.
The ex-Cherries coach will need to summon all those experiences and more as he begins life in one of the hottest hotseats in world football.
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