There will be a different feel behind the Newcastle team Eddie Howe takes to West Ham compared to two years ago
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe with Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe with Sandro Tonali(Image: 2025 James Gill - Danehouse)
View 2 Images
What a difference two years can make. Newcastle United head to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon off the back of a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
It was the Magpies' fifth win in their last six games in all competitions and it was perhaps all the more impressive that they did so having made eight changes to their starting XI.
Such is Newcastle's strength in depth this season, the wholesale changes did not have any ill effects on the team's performance and Eddie Howe now has a squad capable of competing in all four competitions they partake in.
Content Image
Content Image
His players have bought in to increased competition for places and the Magpies are beginning to thrive as a result.
It is a far cry from Newcastle's trip to West Ham two years ago where United ran out of steam in a 2-2 draw in East London, with Mohammed Kudus grabbing an 89th-minute equaliser for the hosts. Sandro Tonali played his first 90 minutes for the club as he struggled to get to grips initially in an unfamiliar midfield role.
It was just days after their famous win over PSG in the Champions League and Howe made just one change to his starting XI, with Elliot Anderson replacing the suspended Anthony Gordon.
It proved to be foreboding as an injury crisis took hold in the following weeks as Newcastle struggled with the added demands of Champions League football.
West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus (centre) celebrates scoring his side's late equaliser against Newcastle United
West Ham United's Mohammed Kudus (centre) celebrates scoring his side's late equaliser against Newcastle United
View 2 Images
There are no such issues this time around, with a number of key players heading to the London Stadium refreshed and rested after Howe made eight changes in midweek for the Carabao Cup win over Spurs. Tonali was outstanding that night at the heart of the midfield, but Howe has professed his 'love' for all of the players he has at his disposal.
"I really love my players," Howe told reporters. "I think that is the key thing, otherwise I would not have signed the majority that I have. Obviously, I inherited a few but players that are still here I love, otherwise they would not be here.
"But my love for my players is deep in terms of their game and what they can bring. I will let others label them but my opinion of them is really high.
"My job is to help everyone get to their best levels of performance and that is how I see it. Regardless of whether they are playing or not, it is developing their games and pushing them to new levels.
"You just keep trying to evolve and get better. Whatever group of players you have, try and maximise everything you have within that group. Try and push them to new levels. Try and help them in various ways. That's what I've always done, that's what I'll always do and try and do it to the best of my ability."
No matter what team Howe puts on to the field against the Hammers, who head into the weekend in the Premier League's relegation zone, he will be confident in their ability to get a second successive Premier League win.
Find more about Eddie Howe singles out one Newcastle summer transfer as a perfect example to follow
Find more about Eddie Howe singles out one Newcastle summer transfer as a perfect example to follow
Find more about Key Eddie Howe decision unlocked new Newcastle United tactic - but they may lose it at West Ham
Find more about Key Eddie Howe decision unlocked new Newcastle United tactic - but they may lose it at West Ham
Find more about Is Newcastle United vs Tottenham on TV? How to watch Carabao Cup clash and draw for free
Find more about Is Newcastle United vs Tottenham on TV? How to watch Carabao Cup clash and draw for free