Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali believes everybody at St James’ Park is happy despite shaky results.
After a Champions League finish last season, Newcastle United fans were looking forward to another campaign under Eddie Howe.
The third international break is now upon us, and Newcastle are yet to truly get going.
Newcastle’s defeat at Brentford on Sunday leaves the Magpies in 14th place in the Premier League table.
Howe only had himself to blame at Brentford, and the Magpies boss needs to find consistent results sooner rather than later.
Eddie Howe speaks to Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Howe has the backing of PIF, but the results in the Premier League this season have been a real disappointment.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali has now commented on Howe while speaking on Newcastle’s official website.
Tonali rated Howe at ’10 out of 10’ as a manager, praising him as a ‘very good gaffer’ after more than two years together.
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Tonali even commented on the mood in the Newcastle dressing room, claiming that ‘every player is happy’ because Howe is such a good man-manager.
“I think he is 10 out of 10 because he really likes me on and off the pitch,” said Tonali. “He helped me in my first year a lot and mentally, because mentally we work a lot on the pitch together every week, every day.
“I think he is a very good gaffer, a great gaffer. On the pitch every day for our group, every player works together even if you start the game, are on the bench or at home.
“I think this is good because every player is happy here, and the reason probably ends up with him,” he added.
Forget about the Sandro Tonali transfer fears
Tonali certainly sounds happy to be at Newcastle and has thrown his backing behind Howe.
Fears were sparked last week as Tonali couldn’t commit his long-term future to Newcastle.
Serie A clubs are bound to be interested in Tonali, who suggested that he takes his future on a year-to-year basis.
Newcastle aren’t worried about Tonali’s immediate future, and these latest comments show that the Italian appears to be happy.
Tonali is loving being around the Newcastle squad and playing under Howe, and long may that continue.
The cynical view is that Tonali isn’t going to say anything different on official club channels, but the comments about Howe come at a perfect time, given the rising pressure on the Toon boss.