Gary Neville has claimed that Newcastle were ‘the most organised’ he has seen them in a ‘very long time’ following their 1-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday, as he told Sky Sports.
The Sky pundit added that from Newcastle’s shape, being ‘really tight together’, their backline ‘pushing up, working together as ‘one’, he has never seen them so well-drilled.
Eddie Howe and his coaching staff deserve huge credit for this because, since his appointment, the attack-minded coach has helped the club secure three clean sheets.
That’s more than what Steve Bruce managed this season – a big fat zero – yet it’s the now-West Brom coach who is known for his defensive coaching.
Some may point towards the new signings, but the Magpies first clean sheet of the campaign came against Burnley in December.
Either way, Neville lauded the defensive structure of Newcastle after watching them in action over the weekend.
“It’s the most organised I have seen Newcastle in a very long time, in terms of shape’ said Neville.
“That 4-3-3. Really tight together. That back four is pushing up as well and playing its part. The back four looks like it’s working together as one.
“It hasn’t always been that way. Far from it, in fact.”
The Toon Army faithful will be well aware that they aren’t out of the woods yet and they still need to pull away from the bottom three.
But the signs suggest that they should and will be more than fine this season.
Not only has Howe brought in top quality players, like Kieran Trippier, but the transformation some of the current players has made is remarkable.
Joelinton has transformed from a struggling number nine to a hard-hitting defensive weapon in the middle of the park.
Whilst someone like Jonjoe Shelvey hasn’t looked so clued on without the ball because his defensive work without the ball has been outstanding.
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