Newcastle United were in a bleak situation when Eddie Howe was appointed in November. Despite fan excitement reaching an all-time high in the aftermath of the Saudi-backed takeover, the Magpies were a mess on the field.
A frustrating 1-1 draw away at Brighton left Newcastle five points from safety and joint-bottom of the Premier League. Not only that, the club were winless and jibes from rival supporters about becoming the richest club in the Championship looked like a real possibility.
However, a dramatic turnaround since the New Year has propelled United up the table and 10 points clear of the drop zone. It would be ignorant to suggest new-found wealth is the sole reason behind the Magpies’ emphatic U-turn in form; it has certainly helped, but the resurgence of players whose days looked numbered at St James’ Park deserves just as much credit.
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Howe has transformed a team devoid of confidence into a solid unit, with each player knowing their role. ChronicleLive analyses the five biggest winners since the 44-year-old arrived on Tyneside.
Joelinton
Joelinton has gone from laughing stock to cult hero - personifying Newcastle’s turnaround since Howe took charge. The Brazilian was a £40million flop as a forward but has reinvented himself as a combative, box-to-box midfielder and endeared himself to the Toon supporters.
His bullet header in the 2-0 win against Brentford resulted in him running the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Newcastle fans - scenes that appeared impossible less than six months ago. Joelinton should have a big part to play on Tyneside in the coming years.
Ryan Fraser
The Scotsman played the best football of his career under Howe at Bournemouth, making 14 top-flight assists in 2018/19. A frustrating 18 months at Newcastle following his free transfer in September 2020 led some to consider selling the 28-year-old but, since rekindling his relationship with Howe, Fraser has excelled.
The winger chipped in with pivotal goals against Everton and Brighton and was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for February. It would have been hard to imagine Fraser starring for Newcastle after he was sent off against Sheffield United in January last year.
Fabian Schar
Schar was fourth-choice under Steve Bruce, with the former boss preferring the no-nonsense Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez to the stylish Swiss centre-back.
Since Howe’s arrival, Schar has started all but one game - the 4-0 defeat against Manchester City in December. He has forged a formidable partnership with Dan Burn to rediscover the form that made him a fan favourite under Rafa Benitez. Goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton highlighted his ability at the other end - a huge asset to a side that lacks goals.
Jonjo Shelvey
A player who polarises opinion among supporters, Shelvey has showcased the form that earned him an England call-up as a youngster. Questions were raised over the 30-year-old’s future when Howe was appointed due to the former Bournemouth boss’ perceived style of play.
However, Shelvey has rubbished those claims and continues to be an integral figure at Newcastle. His match-winning strike against Leeds was the catalyst for a nine-game unbeaten run that has all but ensured Premier League survival.
Dan Burn
The Blyth-born defender has enjoyed a fairytale story since returning to his boyhood club. Burn was released by Newcastle as an 11-year-old but completed a deadline-day move to fix the centre-back crisis.
Failed moves for Sven Botman and Diego Carlos saw the Magpies change tack and approach the more unfashionable Burn at the 11th hour - with Brighton accepting a £13million bid. Spurs away aside, the 29-year-old has barely put a foot wrong to establish himself as a Newcastle stalwart. Other January arrivals could have made the list but Burn has been the pick of the bunch so far.
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