Ben Foster wants Eddie Howe to go back to exactly what made Newcastle United so successful last season.
The 2024/25 campaign was the club’s best ever, with Newcastle United winning the Carabao Cup before qualifying for the Champions League. It was a historic season that cemented Eddie Howe’s status as a legend on Tyneside.
The 2025/26 season has been a little bit tougher so far, with the Newcastle United squad looking very different. There have been plenty of comings and goings, plus the added strain of competing in Europe.
The Magpies have struggled for consistency, but are now hoping to have turned the corner. They have won two games in a row, which has coincided with Jacob Murphy returning to the starting XI.
He scored the opening goal in Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Fulham, and Ben Foster believes that the 30-year-old needs to start more regularly.
Jacob Murphy celebrates his goal for Newcastle United during a 2-1 win over Fulham at St James' Park.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Ben Foster praises Jacob Murphy after Newcastle United goal
Speaking on the latest episode of the Football Fill-in on his YouTube channel, Foster heaped praise on Jacob Murphy following his goal against Fulham.
Foster wants to see more of the £12million winger, imploring Eddie Howe to revert back to the wingers that served him so well last season.
“Fantastic player, I love Jacob Murphy,” he said.
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“He’s so hard working.
“Newcastle just need to get back to what they were last season. When they were winning last season and doing so well, it was because they had [Anthony] Gordon on the left and Jacob Murphy absolutely firing up and down the right-hand side, then you’ve got all those unbelievable midfield players.”
Why Jacob Murphy has not started as much for Newcastle United this season
Newcastle United have played 13 games so far this season. Murphy has started six of them, boasting one goal and three assists in all competitions.
Despite his minutes being reduced, his impact in the final third has continued. That is quite the contrast to Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle for £55million to compete with Murphy.
He is one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings ever and has often started ahead of Murphy, despite a largely inconsistent start to his Toon career. Elanga is yet to score or provide an assist for his new club.
However, Elanga’s presence is not the only reason why Murphy has not started as much as expected. The key reason has been a niggling Achilles problem that has been plaguing Eddie Howe’s number 23.
But having started back-to-back games for Newcastle United in recent days, the hope is that Murphy is now over that problem. That is great news, as he has performed really well when called upon.
It could also be great news for Elanga, as he will know he needs to raise his game to reclaim his place in the starting XI.