Why Newcastle Suddenly Look TRANSFORMED Under Eddie Howe

To me the only real sign of Eddie's evolution would be in-game management, his ability to adjust to the situation on the pitch throughout the game. Learning a new formation is not enough

This is the front line up we've all been waiting for. Big Nick doing exactly what we all see he should be doing, complemented by Osula. Man needs minutes now, Barnes and Ramsey are a dream pair and the Osula arc has just begun.

I’ve been frustrated with Eddie for more than a year, but this is the first time, I’ve seen evidence of an evolving style and it was brilliant to see. Playing to players strengths and even one-touch football, through the middle 😱. Credit, where credit’s due to Eddie. One of the biggest changes, however, was Eddie not compromising everyone to accommodate Gordon.

I thought against Forest that there were positive signs but the execution was poor. The execution was much better yesterday. Nick Woltemade is only going to thrive with technical players around him, Ramsey, Barnes and Bruno. The ability of Barnes and Ramsey to play any of the 3 roles behind the CF makes the summer recruitment easier. For me we need an inverted RW who can replace Murphy most of all. I wouldn’t be sorry about Tino leaving as in this new system the fullbacks need to provide width. Osula is going to save us a lot of money.

As soon as West Ham made their sub on 26 mins where they took off Todibo and brought on Castellanos, the performance kind of reverted to something similar to what we've been seeing all season.

Are you starting to believe in Eddie Howe again?

He put a striker upfront instead of a goalkeeper 🤪

Who would have known a 4231 would have been the answer all along? (All of us beginning of the season lol). Obviously woltemade and osula did great, but I was extremely impressed by Ramsey

Hi mate, great video. do you see Woltemade continuing in that No.10/midfield role? we mainly signed him as a striker. At the same time, if we play Woltemade as the main striker, I don’t think we get the same threat in behind or direct running that Osula gives us upfront. Also with Ramsey, I feel his best position is probably as a No.10. He looked good today, but if we start seeing him more as a left midfielder/winger option, then Barnes probably has to move to the right (because elanga is not good technically in RW), and I don’t think that’s his best position. And if Gordon leaves too, r we going to see ramsey as a left winger/midfielder consider above things (moving barnes to RW/RM)

I can say I was glad to see the change I don't regret anything I said previously because it was completely warranted but this looks good. I enjoyed the game. Let's hope this is the beginning of his evolution.

Most of the time we've started off the better side and then an opposition player goes down and the manager starts changing his tactics like a mini nba time out like vs forest. At least west ham made a substitution to change tactics.

Who would have thought that playing our best technical players in their preferred positions would work? Everyone except Eddie Howe it seems. Yet again, Eddie was forced by circumstance to change his formation,. He couldn't have Joelinton or Gordon playing. And without either of those, even he can't justify playing Burn at left back so he had to play Hall. He had to play Osula on top because he's massively in form. With Woltemade in a 10 Barnes works really well on the right because he drifts in more instead of hugging the touchline like a Murphy would normally do. And with Barnes and Woltemade playing close to eachother that draws in defenders to leave Osula channels to run into. There's a saying that even a blind squirrel finds a nut eventually, and it seems Eddie Howe have finally blundered into a formation and style of play that might actually work. I'm still firmly Howe Out though because we also saw how poorly his in-game management still is. When the opposition adjusted we were in trouble... again. Because Eddie Howe apparently didn't have a plan B ready... again. And against a better team than a demoralised West Ham, we could easily have lost points... again.

amazing what a difference a few weeks on the training ground makes. Imagine if these lads had all had a pre-season training camp together without any of the I-Suk drama playing out wrecking team moral. It's almost as though Eddie Howe is a cup wining Champions League Competing manager... who'd has thought...

Really pleased to see a formation change. We’re playing through the middle too! Incredible! But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. 4 points from Forest and West Ham. It’s fine but not proof of concept yet. Big window ahead!

Yes Eddie Howe has finally adapted and is looking to deploy a new system and trying to integrate Woltemade as a number 10 which was pleasing to see as a supporter

I assume Eddie's hand was forced a bit as he wanted to give Tripps a game so couldn't play Hall RB and Burn LB. Do you think Howe can evolve and get is to the next level based on what you've seen? I'm not so sure and will need to see more. The fact that we are still sometimes seeing DB LB worries me a lot, that he may just revert to type next season. Also, what was he doing for the other 36 games when everyone and their granny could see it wasn't working?

Great breakdown mate, and likewise I share the positivity that Eddie has finally changed to what the fans have been calling for, for years. A bit more on the in possession with, I bet you enjoyed how Woltemade and Ramsey would receive direct passes from Bruno right in front of the West Ham defence, playing some one touch passing to create - playing through the middle as you say, we’ve rarely seen under Eddie. It does raise the question, do we need to replace Gordon if we want to play Ramsey there as a playmaking left mid, with Barnes as backup? Ramsey played a near identical role at villa under Emery. Then we go all in on a left footed right winger like Savinho, William Gomes or Nwaneri? On a more negative note, I was happy until about 55/60 mins. The team still doesn’t know how to control games, retain possession, tire the opponent out, they’re so drilled into playing forward/direct that it invited West Ham into the game. Secondly, soon as West Ham went to a back 4 they got better and we started losing more control. Which is worrying, you might argue West Ham were always going to given the circumstances they’re in. But I need to see a similar and better performance against Fulham who will pose more of a threat for us with their play in between the lines. I also felt we got worse when tonali went off, and seeing Lamine Camara more -makes me think he could actually be an upgrade on tonali, offering similar qualities with more in possession ability. Osula I’m proud to say I’ve stuck with him, I really don’t think we should be splashing the cash on a number 9 - I’d be happy to ship off Wissa and take nunez on a free as backup, but I genuinely think Osula has such a high ceiling and can grow into the future number 9 for us The disappointing thing is, why has Eddie only just figured this - when the fans have been calling for this for months/years, as you say. I really like Nick as that second striker /no. 10 - think he’s perfect for the role, with Osula (who you’re right, we must keep) - can stretch defences. It feels like Eddie has wasted this season away with the same flat 451, and things could have been different if he played this system much earlier in the season

Tbf, Ramsey can get the best out of Hall as he inverts early

I would like to retract my statement that W. Osula is RW. He is gradually becoming a proper 9, which is surprising.

Why has Howe taken so long to understand the importance of playing players in their correct positions ? Who else would play Burn at left back and allow him to roam all over the pitch with his inability to get back into defense due to his lack of speed ! Tonali was the key player breaking down West Ham attacks , when he was substituted we were open and could have drawn or even lost the game !