Jamaal Lascelles has been speaking to the Daily Mail about how things have changed at Newcastle after the arrival of Eddie Howe.
Interestingly, the 28-year-old put a lot of emphasis on the mentality shift under the 44-year-old, and named some leaders among the group.
What’s the story?
Well, Lascelles mentioned the £13m man Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier as leaders among the Newcastle squad.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the former Nottingham Forest man said: “The new players have added to what was already here. The manager was smart about that. He went for players who are good in the dressing-room. Leaders. Chris Wood, a great guy off the pitch. Kieran Tripper, leader. Dan Burn, leader. Matt Targett, you’re talking well-established players.”
Clearly, Howe identified the right characters in the January market, as well as some brilliant footballers.
What goes on behind the scenes in football, in terms of squad morale and chemistry, is vitally important for those hoping to be successful.
It isn’t about throwing a 25-man squad of Europe’s elite footballers together, as you’ll get nowhere if the majority of them are difficult, problematic people.
With all due respect, just look at Paris Saint-Germain, who aren’t exactly pulling up trees in Europe despite housing the best names on the planet.
Jamaal Lascelles seems happier at Newcastle
Being tasked with captaining the side under Steve Bruce must’ve been horrible, as there were few moments of positivity.
Lascelles basically said exactly that to the Daily Mail, as he admits he struggled to keep everyone united at times.
The Newcastle No.6 said: “There’s been times here, years here, where I’ve found it difficult, trying to keep the dressing-room together, keep relationships, keep things positive. But now, when you’ve got five, six or seven players doing that, it just makes my job so much easier.”
The likes of Burn and the 31-year-old Trippier arriving on Tyneside seems to have taken the weight from the centre-back’s shoulders, so it was a smart move by Howe to bring them in.
Of course, the captain must deal with these things, but when nobody else is stepping up to help, it must become overwhelming.
Thankfully, Newcastle seem to be in a much better place, with happier players, under the guidance of Howe.
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