Newcastle United have a special manager in Eddie Howe.
He is someone who makes players better, which is an invaluable trait in today’s game given financial restrictions.
Clubs often have to work with what they have got, and Eddie Howe is excellent at that. That is why the Toon owners love him, and believe they got an absolute gem when they hired him in November 2021.
Since then, there are so many Newcastle United players who have improved under his guidance. Anthony Gordon is the biggest shining example this season, while last year we saw the likes of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff play better than ever before.
Alex Murphy signs new Newcastle United contract
Howe also works hard on improving the young players at the club, helping them grow from youth prospects to Premier League players. He has done that with Toon youngster Alex Murphy, who has made two league appearances for the Magpies this season.
The 19-year-old has made a real impression since his arrival from Galway United two years ago, and has established himself as someone who could become a first-team regular at St James’ Park.
That is the goal, which is why the club were so keen to hand him a new contract. Next on the agenda could be a loan move, as he goes in search of senior minutes.
Alex Murphy talks about working with Eddie Howe
Murphy is a much better player than he was when he arrived at Newcastle in 2022, and he feels as though that is because of Eddie Howe.
The defender has spoke to the club’s official website following his contract announcement, praising Howe for what he has done for his career.
“He’s the most important person at the club so I’m trying to impress him everyday in training, getting better and hopefully he sees that I’m ready for a start or to play regularly in the Premier League,” he said.
“He has already improved my game massively.
“I came into the first-team set-up in November after an injury and have been up at the training ground full-time since then, learning from him, the coaching staff and the players everyday in training.”
The next step for Newcastle teenager
Murphy has improved since working with Eddie Howe, which is why he is trusted to play for the first-team when called upon. He has made two appearances this season, coming off the bench to play at left-back in home wins over Chelsea and Sheffield United.
The next milestone for Murphy to hit will be a league start, but that feels unlikely to happen this season. Newcastle United have two games left, both of which are massively important as the Magpies go in search of European qualification.
If less was on the line, Howe might be willing to give Murphy a chance, but that is not going to happen. Instead, he will have to wait and continue improving before he makes his first ever Premier League start.
But it will happen – Eddie Howe will make sure of it. He has already helped Murphy get so much better, but there is a lot more work to be done in the coming years.
The post 'Massively': 19-year-old Newcastle player says Eddie Howe has already made him so much better appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.
