Eddie Howe has admitted that Kieran Trippier's elite experience has been a 'big thing' for high-flying Newcastle United as players and staff find themselves in uncharted territory.
Trippier and his team-mates talked about doing 'something special' at the start of the season and Newcastle supporters are rightly daring to dream as we approach the halfway point of the campaign. Newcastle are flying in third place and Man City boss Pep Guardiola and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp are among those leading figures in the game who believe the Magpies are genuine contenders.
Newcastle have blocked out the noise, however, and Trippier has led the way in that regard as one of the few figures in the dressing room with priceless experience of being in such a lofty position in a major league both with Atletico Madrid and Spurs. Indeed, following the 3-0 win at Leicester City on Boxing Day, it was Trippier, a La Liga title winner, who was talking about 'keeping our feet on the ground' and 'taking a game at a time'.
READ MORE: Newcastle have different FFP transfer hurdle to Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal after early moves
It is perhaps the ultimate tribute to Trippier and co that Howe feels Newcastle would not be in the position they are in without the club's experienced heads 'setting the standards'.
"Tripps has got brilliant experiences in Atletico and the national team," Howe told reporters. "Having players internally in the squad that can help guide and educate players around them in terms of behaviours, what to do and how to handle ourselves, especially when we're winning, is a big thing. Our reaction to winning is very important - to be very calm and focused on what's next."
That winning mentality was one of the many reasons why Howe was so keen to reunite with Trippier nearly a year ago. Not many players would have been prepared to swap life in the Champions League for an immediate relegation battle, but the England international did not shirk the challenge.
Although Trippier had no escape clauses in his contract, some pundits questioned the right-back's motivations for making the move at the time. Simon Jordan even went as far as to say there was 'one reason and one reason only' and that was because the 'economic package suits him at this stage of his career'.
However, Trippier was keen to return to the north for family reasons and the defender previously stressed if it was about the money, he would have stayed at Atletico because he 'got a new three-year contract there'. On that point, Howe revealed on Friday that his conversations with Trippier before the £12m move were, tellingly, 'all about the football - it wasn't about anything else'.
READ NEXT
Everything Eddie Howe said on Leeds, injuries and January transfers at Newcastle press conference
Jurgen Klopp gives ultimate compliment to Newcastle after Liverpool boss' previous 'ceiling' dig
Selfless reaction hints at what Newcastle transfer targets have to do if they get dream move
Leeds United fume at having less rest than Newcastle but Jesse Marsch shows a 'lot of respect'
Newcastle reaction should worry Leeds United and Arsenal as elite Eddie Howe is tough on players
