Following the long-awaited appointment of new manager Eddie Howe yesterday afternoon Newcastle fans will be eager to see what impact the 43-year-old Englishman can have as the club finally enters a new era.

But what will the new boss bring to Newcastle United?

In his time at Bournemouth, Howe took the Cherries from the bottom of the Football League to the top half of the Premier League – finishing an impressive 9th place in 2016/17. Suggesting a great deal of coaching prowess.

The south coast club had a five year stint in the top flight of English football and put together a number of good performances. Perhaps their best being the 3-0 away win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2018. 

During his journey to the Premier League, Howe formed a squad that had a strong bond and was united around the common goal of reaching the heights of the top division. 

Players were constantly reminded they were representing the fans and had to play for them. Something the new Magpie boss needs to tap into if he is to be a success on Tyneside. The bond between Newcastle fans and players has been damaged for far too long. 

Howe has worked closely with three players in the current Newcastle squad and will be hopeful he can have a positive impact on their performances, especially Ryan Fraser who is yet to perform in the black and white stripes.

Both Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie thrived under the management of Howe and will be looking to replicate their previous performances under him. They have been important players for the Mags this season and have often played well without much reward. 

Credit: Callum Wilson Instagram

Ritchie has created the fifth most chances in the Premier League this season with 24 chances created and Wilson has netted four times, scoring 25% of Newcastle goals in the league.

Formation and getting the best out of the current squad

In his time in management Howe has experimented with a number of formations but is best known for his 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 set-up. He adopts a strong team environment where all players work together rather than focusing on individual talent.

His style allows players to play attacking football through a patient build-up from defence to attack and encourages full-backs to push higher taking their opponents into one-on-one battles. Defenders are tasked with dispossessing their opponents quickly and getting their team back on the front foot.  

The main aim of his tactics are to remain on top of the opposition for extended periods by having a high defensive line and pressing from the front. To Howe, attack is the best form of defence.

For the first 11 games of the season, the Mags have been set up to soak up opposition pressure and play on the counter-attack. However, their current position in the table tells you everything you need to know – it’s time for a change.

Howe’s first decision is likely to be getting rid of the defensive five at-the-back and moving to a more progressive formation to help get the best out of the likes of Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximum and Joe Willock. 

The team has only scored 12 goals this campaign.

The core of the team is likely to stay the same for the time being as United are unable to add more quality to the squad until January. Fernandez may return to centre-back as a better passer of the ball than Ciaran Clark. Regular starters Jamaal Lascelles, Isaac Hayden and Miguel Almiron are likely to retain their places. 

There’s no doubt that improvements are needed in the New Year and Howe’s work in the transfer market is key for him to be successful at St. James’ Park. 

Adopting an attacking style

As previously mentioned, Howe is renowned for his aggressive, intense and attacking brand of football which Newcastle fans have been starved of for years. His teams set up to defend from the front with a focus on playing progressive and exciting football – a coach willing to take risks. 

Unlike previous Newcastle managers under Mike Ashley, Howe takes a front foot approach and likes to push his teams up the pitch to put pressure on their opponents – this will surely get Toon fans on the edge of their seats?

However, it won’t be plain sailing and fans will have to remain patient as Howe integrates his philosophy into the current squad. Newcastle currently sit in the relegation zone and are without a win this season. 

Former Bournemouth defender Simon Francis, who worked closely with Howe has commented on his new role at Newcastle:

“I think the fans want something to get behind a team that’s going to create chances, and I can almost guarantee that that will happen.

“He will bring a good feeling into the camp straight away because his training sessions are intensive, they’re enjoyable and they get you thinking.”

Tommy Elphick, who played alongside Francis at the Cherries adds:

“He (Howe) spends a lot of time getting to know his players and the great thing he did at Bournemouth was he really tapped into the history of the club.

“He made us proud to wear the shirt, and got us in a way that resonated with the fans.”

There’s no doubt that Howe’s philosophy will bring hope to the city but Newcastle are desperate for points and need their new man to hit the ground running to ensure the squad climbs to safety. 

A difficult Christmas period looms for the Magpies who need to get some points on the board in their next four games if they are to have a good chance of maintaining their Premier League status come May. 

Newcastle United upcoming fixtures

Is Howe’s attacking style of play just what Newcastle need? Or could it be a baptism of fire as the Mags continue to have a poor defensive record and leak goals at the back?

In the 2017/18 Premier League season the Englishman guided the Cherries to a respectable 12th position after finding themselves second bottom after 10 games. Howe will be looking to this replicate in his time at St. James’.

Can Howe adapt to life at Newcastle and be pragmatic to ensure Newcastle stay in the Premier League?

A more pragmatic approach may have to be taken until the new manager can make improvements to the squad and make the team harder to beat. 

Football is a game of attack vs defence and Howe needs to adopt a style that captures the hearts of the Geordie faithful whilst remaining measured and practical. 

During their five Premier League campaigns, Bournemouth were in the bottom three for the majority of seasons for goals conceded but sat seventh-highest scorers on more than on occasion. 

Credit: SkySports

Questions will be asked of Howe’s “gung-ho” style but can his attacking tactics turn goal-shy Newcastle into a free scoring team who pick up enough points to achieve Premier League survival. 

When asked about the Howe’s remit as Newcastle boss, Simon Francis said:

“I think they (Newcastle fans) will see a difference almost in their first game. From what I’ve seen over the past couple of years at Newcastle, they have been very cautious in games and sat off teams, not just the top teams, but let a lot of teams within the division to have the ball for large periods.

He added:

“The reality is that they’re in a relegation battle, but he’ll assess the situation, he’ll think of the best way to get the best team out there on a match day and get the best results possible as quickly as possible.”

Spend big or look for premier league experience?

Perhaps one of the most controversial topics when it comes to Eddie Howe’s appointment is his ability to sign influential players in the transfer window. At Bournemouth the budget was always limited and therefore the calibre of player the club could attract was lower. 

However, when he did spend big, Howe got it wrong on a couple of occasions. The most notable being his £15million signing of Liverpool winger Jordan Ibe and the £19million pound purchase of striker Dominic Solanke. 

On the other hand, there have been many occasions where the 43-year-old has got it spot on and been overlooked. 

The signing of Nathan Ake for £20million is a bargain in the modern-day market as the Dutch centre-back became a stalwart in defence for the Cherries. Both Jefferson Lerma and Phillip Billing may have played a part in their relegation but have remained popular names within the side at the Vitality Stadium. They are a vital part in their quest for promotion from the Championship. 

With the number of high quality players linked with Newcastle after their Saudi-led takeover last month, will Newcastle be big spenders as suggested?

Or will Howe be looking towards Premier League experience to help turn the tide for his team who currently find themselves rooted in the relegation zone. 

One thing is for sure, new signings need to be integrated into the squad quickly and have an immediate influence on results.