A lot has changed at Newcastle United during Eddie Howe’s time in charge, and now he has looked at whether the fans have changed.
The Toon Army have been united behind Eddie Howe ever since his arrival at St James’ Park, with the owners deciding that he was the man to replace Steve Bruce shortly after the takeover in late 2021.
Howe immediately got the fans onside with his intense training methods, while his words in the media presented the club and players in such a positive light. It was a complete contrast to the doom and gloom of Bruce.
Eventually, St James’ Park became a fortress. The noise inside the ground was unrivalled, as Howe guided Newcastle United to Premier League safety.
That snowballed into last season, when Howe got the Magpies into the Champions League and guided them to a Wembley final. That weekend in the capital was special, and represented everything good about the Newcastle United fanbase.
This season has been much tougher for Newcastle United
While everything went right for Newcastle last season, the 2023/24 campaign has been much tougher.
Results have not been as good, with injuries disrupting a season that had so much promise. In turn, there have been occasions when the atmosphere has not been quite as good. That is understandable given some of the results, while there have also been complaints from fans about the away crowds after the club changed their ticketing stance.
But fans continue to back Eddie Howe and this Newcastle United team, and the manager does not believe that fans have altered their expectations after the success of last year.
Eddie Howe asked if Newcastle fans expect more after last season
Howe has been speaking to Optus Sport, and was asked if he thinks the fans’ expectations have changed since his arrival.
“I would say the supporters have been very, very good,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say I have noticed a massive change. When we first came in we were fighting relegation but I think that support from everybody locally was there. There was such a determination from everyone for the team to do well and I think there was real belief in the team over what we could achieve.
“The next season was unbelievable and achieving Champions League qualification was in part down to the supporters and what they gave us.
“But I wouldn’t say it has necessarily changed, I don’t think the expectations have changed either, naturally they have grown but I don’t think there has been a big moment where it’s felt like we have got too big in terms of expectations or thoughts. We are just trying to grow and I think we are very much united on and off the pitch.”
Newcastle are growing, but fans are not expectant
After the success of last season, it would have been easy for Newcastle fans to expect the same this year. But there was always going to be a natural regression, and fans have accepted that.
And they have also accepted that a lot of this season’s poor performances have stemmed from the club’s injury crisis, rather than a lack of commitment or passion.
There have been times this season when the atmosphere has been electric. The Champions League nights were special, with the PSG win easily the best night I have experienced inside St James’ Park.
As we compete higher up the table, the big games suddenly feel much bigger. They are even more important, and that has resulted in some raucous crowds.
That must continue as the club progresses. The Newcastle United fanbase is special, and can have such an impact on the team. As Howe says, Newcastle are united on and off the pitch, and that must carry on as the PIF project grows bigger and bigger.
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