Nobby Solano has applauded the performance of Eddie Howe with the Newcastle United legend believing he has changed the culture at St James' Park in just a few months. Solano says that Howe "inherited a mess" after the Mike Ashley era with players simply walking from the treatment room and back into the starting line-up for years under the Sports Direct magnate's tenure.
But in just four months, Howe has instilled a different mentality at Benton with players knowing they have to fight for a place. Indeed, Howe made this clear when omitting Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis, experienced midfielder Isaac Hayden and one-time captain Ciaran Clark from his squad for the second half of the campaign.
Howe has also hauled Newcastle away from the danger zone and within five points of the top 10, with Solano feeling fans can at least be optimistic about qualifying for Europe again in the long-term.
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Solano told Chronicle Live: "I think we can talk about top 10 challenges again looking forward, whether that is this season or next season we will have to wait to see. This season the most important thing is to be safe, then next season we are looking at that push.
"The team is certainly playing with a lot more confidence so it's up to them now what they want to achieve in the last nine matches, whether they want to finish strong or not. They picked up important results during the nine-game spell at crucial times. Now it's about whether they push or not.
"In fairness, I don't think we could ask much more from Eddie Howe. Eddie came in and inherited a bit of a mess left behind by Mike Ashley. Any new manager will always take time to set up a new team. Eddie's done a good job, they aren't safe yet but they have a big chance of more than just survival."
Howe's last game against Everton, which ended in a late 1-0 defeat, saw the head coach name a bench packed with experienced players, including club skipper Jamaal Lascelles, midfielder Sean Longstaff, winger Matt Ritchie and long serving striker Dwight Gayle - not to mention talisman Allan Saint-Maximin.
Solano spoke of the culture then and now and said: "Before I think there was a culture where there was no investment and senior players just walked into the team after injury. Now I see a situation where Eddie has the players positive, and the players want to be at the club.
"It happened at Man City, sometimes Sterling or Foden have to be sub. Pep Guardiola has built a squad of superstars. That's what happens at a big club. The mentality of the players has to be good and whereas before players walked straight back to the team from the treatment room, now they are having to fight for a squad place."
The Peruvian legend played his part in a host of European campaigns on Tyneside including runs in the Champions League and old UEFA Cup. Now he hopes that type of mentality is about to return to St James' Park.
Solano added: "Next season the expectations of the owners will go up and that's how it should be. Any ambitious club has that.
"It's never easy to get into the top six but these days we know seventh place gets you a Europa Conference League spot and that should be a little target for the lads next season. We know the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Man City and Tottenham will be eyeing the top spots.
"After that, you are looking to join the next group, the likes of Leicester, Wolves and Aston Villa. "You look at the table now and Newcastle are only five points off the top 10 now. So with investment in the summer they can definitely start talking about the top half again.
"West Ham are probably the best example for me. They got a top six place last season and they're in the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season and looking to qualify again for Europe this season.
"Europe has to be the next aim for Newcastle moving forward. Let's hope this season it's about safety and finishing strong then next season trying to get into that group of European contenders."
Newcastle spent £91million in January with signings such as England star Kieran Trippier and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes. The summer window promises to be equally as exciting.
Solano reflected: "Investment is always going to be key. We hope that we'll see that again and I think we will, there will be a lot of players coming in and a few leaving. We hope to see the squad looking competitive and Newcastle signing world class players. "It's never easy but to get people who want to be at the club and be successful that is the key."
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