Richard Keys loves stirring it, the prince of mischief.
Every week in the past he was predicting (see beneath) the sack for Eddie Howe earlier than we reached November.
Now after the historical past making 8-0 demolition of Sheffield United, Richard Keys altering his tune…
Richard Keys writing on his private weblog – 25 September 2023:
“I loved the weekend. The North London derby was a extremely good watch while Newcastle had been ruthless at Bramhall Lane.
“I felt for The Blades minutes you and I’m fairly positive when the mud had settled Eddie Howe would’ve felt for Paul Heckingbottom and his workers as effectively.
“The win was one thing for the historical past books and the hundreds that comply with the Toon to away video games.
“Good luck to them. They’re as loyal as they arrive and it was a incredible week all issues thought of, however professionals don’t actually like inflicting hurt like that on a set of professionals at one other membership.
“The shot of Stuart McCall summed up Sheffield’s distress.
“However take nothing away from Newcastle. They had been terrific.”
Richard Keys writing on his private weblog – 18 September 2023:
‘How about this for a name?
One of many high six managers will get the sack earlier than November. And proper now it’s a reasonably good race.
Three of them are very firmly within the body – ten Hag, Howe and Pochettino.
Guardiola, Klopp and Arteta are as protected as homes.
Let’s undergo the primary record.
It would shock you that I’ve included Eddie Howe and I very a lot hope I’m incorrect.
Howe did a incredible job final season, however this time spherical it’s very totally different.
Newcastle haven’t made begin however again to again video games v Man Metropolis and Liverpool was a tricky ask.
Having mentioned that – in the event you’ve obtained ambitions to be a high membership you’ve obtained to be aggressive in video games of that nature – and positively win video games at house towards different high 6 groups.
Newcastle ought to’ve crushed Liverpool.
And they need to’ve obtained a minimum of some extent at Brighton.
High groups don’t get crushed in these video games. The perfect groups win them.
They had been fortunate v Brentford. Gordon throwing himself at Flekken ought to by no means have resulted in a pen – so Newcastle obtained away with one there.
Now comes the CL – an exquisite distraction that they didn’t have final season.
There’s no purpose why they’ll’t beat Milan within the San Siro, but when they don’t, do the homeowners begin to get a bit edgy?
It’s Sheff Utd on the weekend, then Metropolis within the Carabao Cup – Burnley and PSG after that.
In the event that they’re solely scratching outcomes – or worse – I can see one or two questions getting requested.
Once more – I hope not, however we reside in a sensible world – not a romantic one.’
The reality of the matter was that on the very least, you needed to give it on the very least till the tip of October earlier than even starting to make any early judgements on Eddie Howe and his gamers for this season.
The opening 5 NUFC Premier League video games had been all towards groups who completed high 9 final season, while beginning on Sunday with Sheffield United, it was/is 2 promoted golf equipment adopted by three who ended up backside half of the PL final season.
