Eddie Howe will ‘have the answers’ for Newcastle’s Champions League quest

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has no doubt about Eddie Howe’s ability to manage Newcastle United in the Champions League as the Magpies hone in on a top-four finish. Nine points are all it’s going to take to mathematically secure the Magpies place in the top-four as things stand, but the points needed could be drastically less.

The Newcastle boss is yet to manage in Europe and it’ll would be the first foray as a manager. So far, the Toon head coach has got most of the big decisions right, most recently introducing Callum Wilson at half-time in the 3-1 win over Southampton.

The number nine replaced Anthony Gordon at the break and would go on to inspire the Magpies’ comeback and ensure they took a big step towards Champions League qualification.

Keown told talkSPORT: “It was the key decisions that they made, because Eddie keeps telling us he can play Isak and Wilson together but he never does. It’s the timing of when he brings them on and when he pairs them together that’s really impressive.

“He took off Anthony Gordon at half-time, which you may think was a bit harsh, he had two or three opportunities where he didn’t nail it, so he brings Isak on. He looks phenomenal and you can play him wide left if that’s where he’s going to play them together and maybe that’s what he does.

“Wilson then just wants to prove [himself], you felt there was an anger about him, ‘why am I not starting games?’ I think the manager manages him well because he’s got a history of muscular injuries, he’s worked with him before at Bournemouth, knows what he’s about and knows what makes him tick.

“He gets on the pitch and gives them result they want. They’re going from strength to strength. Your first question was how are they going to manage in the Champions League, I don’t think it really matters too much, I think Eddie is so bright and he’ll find ways to solve this.

“He’ll research – he’ll have to buy four or five more players because he’s running two squads. His calendar is going to be much more involved than it was this year but I still see them doing well.

“I think it’ll affect where they finish in the Premier League because I don’t see them finishing fourth.”