Rio Ferdinand has praised Eddie Howe for 'getting a tune' out of Newcastle United players he believes were destined for the 'scrap heap'. The Magpies earned a hard-fought home victory over Chelsea in their final outing before the World Cup break to reclaim third place in the Premier League.
Howe's side have lost just once all season, and a near-perfect run of form in October has catapulted them into contention for a Champions League spot. Newcastle have achieved statement victories over the Blues and away at Tottenham, while also booking their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Miguel Almiron is the latest player to find the next level in a black-and-white shirt, with the Paraguay international named the Premier League's Player of the Month for October. The winger follows in the footsteps of the likes of Joelinton following his reinvention as a midfielder, and Fabian Schar who has emerged from the cold to be a constant at the heart of one of the top-flight's best defences.
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Ferdinand has praised Newcastle for so far avoiding the temptation of using their newfound wealth to tempt superstars to St James' Park. The former England and Manchester United defender believes the Magpies are thriving as a result of 'good coaching' to bring the best out of their current squad.
Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five channel: "I watched it the other day, and Newcastle looked the bigger team, the better team. You have to give them credit, they could have easily gone out and splashed the cash.
"They've been economical with it, they've been reserved, just calm. Then all of a sudden, when it's time to get the big boys in..."
When pressed on Joelinton's transformation, Ferdinand added: "That's good coaching. That's what I see in that team, they are a well-drilled outfit who are being coached remarkably well at the moment. He's getting a tune out of players that we were looking at and going woah, they ain't going to play Premier League.
"Get rid of them, they're on the scrap heap. But they've all performing consistently well, and they look a confident team now."
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