Allan Saint-Maximin has picked three Newcastle players to have improved under Eddie Howe, since the Toon boss replaced Steve Bruce. He told Goal that Fabian Schar, Ryan Fraser and Joe Willock have got better under Howe.
Newcastle have become a much better side since Howe came in and not just because of the near-£100million spent in the January window. Howe has got his side playing better football. More goals, more points, more wins.
The Toon looked nailed on for relegation when Howe came in and even after a 5-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Newcastle sit in a more-than-comfortable 13th place in the Premier League table – nine above 18th.
With their place in the Premier League more than safe, Saint-Maximin identified three Toon players to have improved the most under Howe – naming Willock, Schar and Fraser, and not mentioning Joelinton.
“There have been many changes. I even see it in relation to my way of playing, that of Willock, Ryan Fraser or Fabian Schär. A lot of players are starting to show what they can do on the pitch. That’s thanks to the coach.”
Saint-Maximin on Newcastle: Who else has improved under Howe?
The three Saint-Maximin mentions have dramatically improved. Schar has signed a new deal largely because of his improved form at centre-back, while Willock has contributed more to play. Fraser has been rejuvenated.
Joelinton is arguably the most-improved, going from a laughing stock up front to a box-to-box powerhouse alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Jonjo Shelvey. The latter has also showed improvement, dictating midfield.
But as a team, Newcastle have improved. A togetherness, and solidarity and a much more tactically aware side look better.
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