Why Howe's squad management is key to Newcastle's top-four hopes

Even before he entered the pitch as a second-half substitute, Sandro Tonali received a rapturous reception from the Newcastle United fans on Saturday.  

The Italy international had his name chanted by the St James’ Park faithful as he warmed up on the touchline in the opening period. His entrance in place of Bruno Guimaraes in the 69th minute was met with loud cheers from all four sides of the stadium. 

Tonali’s appearance against Crystal Palace could be his last for some time. The midfielder faces a lengthy ban from the game after he admitted to Italian authorities that he breached betting regulations during his time at AC Milan. Tonali is unlikely to return before next season at the earliest. 

That is a blow to Newcastle, but it need not be a fatal one as far as their top-four hopes are concerned. Indeed, the club’s success under Eddie Howe has been built on a strong collective rather than individual stars. 

Granted, Newcastle would not be the same team without the likes of Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak or Guimaraes. Those three players were essential to their fourth-placed finish last term and will be key to their prospects this season too. 

But while Howe has spent big money thanks to the deep pockets of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, he has also done some excellent work on the training pitch. For evidence of that, consider the performances of two of their star men in the 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy. 

When the Saudis bought Newcastle in October 2021, few would have predicted that those two players would be starring in the starting XI two years later.  

Yet Newcastle have sensibly shunned a galactico recruitment model, preferring instead to make incremental improvements to the squad. And in Howe they have benefited from a manager who recognises that the writing of cheques is not the only way to make a team better. 

Murphy was the standout performer against Palace, earning a WhoScored rating of 9.34. Making his first start of the Premier League season, the 28-year-old opened the scoring in the fourth minute, before laying on Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 44th minute. 

Longstaff scored Newcastle’s third, seizing on a mistake from Marc Guehi and then keeping his composure to fire the ball past Sam Johnstone. The fourth was converted by Callum Wilson after he was fed by a wonderful pass from Murphy. 

As their heat map indicates, Newcastle focused their attacks down the right on Saturday. Odsonne Edouard, a centre-forward fielded on Palace’s left, was found wanting in the defensive phase of the game, leaving Tyrick Mitchell constantly exposed. 

Murphy took full advantage, with ample support from the overlapping Trippier. Longstaff, deployed as the right-sided No.8, also helped Newcastle to create overloads down that flank. The homegrown hero does not have the same quality as Tonali, but he understands the system well and, on Saturday at least, showed himself to be an able deputy. 

Newcastle have recovered well from a poor start to the season that saw them lose three of their first four games. They have now taken 13 points from the last 15 available to close the gap to the Champions League places.  

Newcastle will turn their attention back to Europe this week, with Borussia Dortmund set to visit St James’ on Wednesday. Edin Terzic’s side will face a stern examination against a side that plays with great energy and intensity, especially in front of their own fans. 

It is those two qualities, more than any individual brilliance, that define this Newcastle team. Tonali would be a big loss for any side in the Premier League. But if Howe can continue getting the best out of players like Murphy and Longstaff, Newcastle will remain competitive.