Eddie Howe should not be in any doubt over the place he holds in the hearts of Newcastle United supporters. But if he is, he is about to get a timely reminder at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The Magpies head coach will miss the Premier League game with Manchester United after being admitted to hospital with an illness. The club issued a statement on Saturday night confirming the 47-year-old was conscious and speaking with family, but continuing to undergo treatment.
He had missed the pre-match press conference on Friday, with assistant head coach Jason Tindall filling in, and was expected to have recovered in time to take his place on the touchline against Man United. The news that he will be unable to is concerning and our best wishes go out to Howe and his family.
Those sentiments will be echoed by 50,000 Geordies at St James’ on Sunday. It’s usually a raucous atmosphere when Man United come to town, but you can guarantee they will take the roof off to send a loud message to Howe that he is the man they are backing to guiide to the club to more glory.
He has already written his name into the club’s history books by becoming the first manager for 70 years to lift a domestic trophy following the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool last month. Now with a Champions Legaue spot on the line, excitement is continuing to grow for the club’s future with Howe at the helm.
As for the players, they will no doubt be inspred to ‘do it for Eddie’ but in truth, Howe’s message will ring loudly in their ears regardless of his absence. Howe, Tindall, Graeme Jones and the United coaching staff prepare meticulously for each game, and this one will have been no different.
Each player will already know their job down to the smallest degree and while Howe’s absence is a blow, it will not derail the train for one match. Others will step up. Tindall and Jones will prowl the touchline, Bruno Guimaraes’ captain’s armband will become that bit more significant, and senior pros such as Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar will lead from the front.
Everyone wants Eddie Howe back on the touchline as soon as possible, with the whole of football wishing him a speedy recovery. But Newcastle are about show what it really means to be United.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/st-james-park-show-eddie-31411717
