Newcastle’s tactics under Eddie Howe: Will it be evolution or revolution? – The Athletic

Eddie Howe is promising change at Newcastle United, to imprint his footballing philosophy onto a struggling side.

I wont come here and deviate too far from my style of football, Howe said at his unveiling earlier this month. But I recognise there are certain limitations and it will take gradual steps.

A fresh approach is certainly welcome at a club that has been mired in relegation battles for years, are winless this season and are already five points adrift of safety. But after two years of constant chopping and changing under Steve Bruce, it will take time for the Newcastle squad to acclimatise to a new outlook.

So, what exactly does the new head coach want from his players? What should Newcastle fans expect from an Eddie Howe side? And how quickly can he implement his ideas?

Howes style and preferred formation

For the majority of Howes Bournemouth tenure, his preference for offensive football was evident.

For those peak years, we were fearless, says Simon Francis, the former Bournemouth right-back. We were progressive and front-foot. We pressed, our first pass had to be forward and we thought we could beat anybody. That might sound naive, but we had to have that mindset.

Howe says his style is based on what I like to watch myself. But by the end of 2019-20, his Bournemouth side, who had become reliant on counter-attacking, were not immediately recognisable as the same team that surprised the top flight with their brave play following promotion in 2015.

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Newcastle's tactics under Eddie Howe: Will it be evolution or revolution? - The Athletic