Callum Wilson says Newcastle United’s transfer business since the club’s takeover has given the dressing room a huge boost of confidence.
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The looming one-year anniversary of the takeover offers an ideal for reflection.
So much has happened both on and off the field over the past 12 months that its difficult to do the rebirth of Newcastle United justice.
While these are early days of course and there have been some teething problems along the way, no one needs reminding that the club are a different beast these days.
Arguably one of the most amazing things to consider is that the new signings are only one of the factors contributing towards the rapid-fire improvement.
Clearly, having the funds to bring the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak to St James’ Park makes life easier for Eddie Howe, but the work the head coach has done with the likes of Fabian Schar (who signed a new deal after previously looking as if he’d leave), Ryan Fraser and Joelinton speaks to a team on the rise even aside from the fresh faces.
Indeed, that appears to be what Wilson is hinting at. With a higher calibre of teammate in the dressing room, some of the players Howe inherited have stepped up. That, in turn, highlights the kind of characters Newcastle have recruited, players capable of fitting in and raising the level without putting noses out of joint.
What has Wilson said of Newcastle’s transfer business?
In quotes sourced by The Chronicle, Wilson said: “You know that the club have invested in the squad and you have got confidence in all the players that are around you. You look around the dressing room and there’s such talented players. You are confident in your starting lineup, with your subs.
“Before that you can expect to start and it is human nature to relax. That’s not the case now. The manager has come in and now the culture and philosophy has changed. I can only see positive things to come.”
Where have been the biggest areas of improvement?
While it’s difficult to ignore Guimaraes’ impact, the unit to have benefitted most from more investment has to be in defence.
After the first game of the club’s new era, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher labeled Newcastle’s backline as of a “Championship” standard following the 3-2 loss at home to Tottenham.
Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett all arrived in January as Howe’s side went on a run of keeping seven clean sheets after the turn of the year to provide a strong platform on which to build their ascent up the table.
This season – with Sven Botman added to the ranks – only Everton have conceded fewer, further underlining the progress.
