Everything Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher said about Newcastle United’s transfer policy, ‘fan spirit’ and Eddie Howe

With the Magpies sitting pretty in 3rd place and enjoying a run of four league wins in a row, what Newcastle could achieve this season was the subject of great debate between Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville. The pair offered their thoughts on the potential of European football coming back to St James’s Park and the job done by Eddie Howe and the new owners during their time on Tyneside. Here’s everything Neville and Carragher said about Newcastle United on the latest edition of The Overlap:

Carragher on Eddie Howe…

“Eddie Howe is currently the best performing Premier League manager this season, in terms of what he’s getting from his players. People will say he has spent a lot of money, but when you look at that team, it doesn’t look like a lot has been spent - they all look like good, solid Premier League players. What he’s getting out of that team, to be in the position they are in, is outstanding.

“Eddie did a brilliant job at Bournemouth, but there was always that feeling about whether he could manage a big club – or if he was just outperforming at his own little club where he’s always been. He went to Burnley, which didn’t go too well, and for him to move up north – all these questions were being thrown at him.

“It’s been massive for Eddie Howe to go to Newcastle and prove how good of a manager he is. I’m sure the ownership will spend more money as the seasons go on and get higher quality players. The players that they have in now were just to keep them up initially, and then to help them with their next steps.

“Champions League wasn’t the next step in their eyes, it would’ve more likely have been challenging for a Europa League spot. The players they have are not Champions League quality. They won’t get top four just yet, but they’re in the conversation, which shows Eddie Howe is getting more out of his players than anybody else.”

Neville on ownership and fan ‘spirit’...

“I didn’t think the ownership at Newcastle would be as wise, mature and patient as they have been in the first year – looking at other ownership groups that have come to the Premier League, like Abu Dhabi at Manchester City, they come in and want a star signing and a star, fashionable manager.

“Newcastle’s owners have done the opposite, and have been patient and understated, the opposite of the Chelsea situation. Chelsea were competing for and winning trophies, and the new ownership have come in and shown immaturity and naivety.

“Newcastle appointed a manager with a good record but not one that would win you the league or get you into the Champions League. The players he signed are not massive names, but they are building spirit and reconnecting with the fans, not wasting money on old, expensive players who just see a transfer as a payday. At this moment in time, it’s been a faultless performance on and off the pitch from Newcastle.”

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were speaking on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet