Eddie Howe Newcastle United story between his 47th and 48th birthdays

Eddie Howe was born on 29 November 1977.

I was already at secondary school by then.

Eddie Howe is now 48 years old, his 48th birthday today, we all hope he is celebrating along with the rest of us around 7.30pm tonight.

Exactly a year ago, Edward John Frank Howe was giving his pre-match press conference ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace.

At that pre-Palace press conference, the Newcastle United boss was given a tough time, quizzed on how Newcastle had lost 2-0 at home to West Ham on the Monday night.

I am happy at this point to declare where I stand, I think Eddie Howe is a brilliant manager and that post-West Ham negativity was way over the top, in my opinion. So many people wanting to dismiss the fact that it was a bit of a smash and grab by the Hammers, as Newcastle had dominated the first half but conceded to a soft set-piece goal, then another early in the second half on the break killed the game.

At the time, I thought it was particularly over the top, the extreme negativity, considering the previous three matches had seen Eddie Howe lead Newcastle United to wins over Chelsea (2-0 in the Carabao Cup), Arsenal (1-0 in the Premier League) and 3-1 away at high flying Forest in the league.

It had been a mixed opening few months to the season though and heading towards December only tenth in the Premier League saw questions asked of Eddie Howe, even though a third Carabao Cup quarter-final place in a row had been secured, thanks to wins over Forest, AFC Wimbledon and Chelsea.

You even had some bizarre Newcastle United fans questioning whether Eddie Howe should remain in the job.

The United boss had been having to deal with a fair number of injuries but then when the next three matches following Eddie Howe turning 47 only brought two points from a possible nine (draws against Palace and Liverpool, defeat at Brentford), the knives were well and truly out for those wanting to bring the Newcastle United Head Coach down.

What a year

What did you do, what did you achieve in your life, in between your last two birthdays?

Well, we can now look back and reflect on exactly what Eddie Howe achieved with Newcastle United, between turning 47 and waking up this morning and Eddie finding out he’d turned 48.

Newcastle United have played 53 matches in total this past year:

Played 52 Won 30 Drawn 6 Lost 16

Within that, these Newcastle United results have helped bring a first trophy in 56 years to the club, plus only a second Champions League qualifying season in over 20 years, Eddie Howe delivering two of these in three seasons.

Breaking it down by competition, Eddie Howe this past year has delivered:

Premier League: Played 38 Won 19 Drawn 6 Lost 13

Carabao Cup: Played 6 Won 6 Drawn 0 Lost 0

FA Cup: Played 3 Won 2 Drawn 0 Lost 1

Champions League: Played 5 Won 3 Drawn 0 Lost 2

I look forward to revisiting this in another year’s time, when Eddie Howe turns 49, to detail what heights he has taken Newcastle United to in these next 12 months.

I don’t believe in any God but I do believe in Eddie Howe.