Howe seeking to emulate principles of Keegan and Robson at Newcastle

Eddie Howe insisted he has been aiming to emulate the principles of Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan in his Newcastle United side.

The Magpies are eighth in the Premier League, three points off the top four, while their hopes of retaining the EFL Cup took a blow following their 2-0 semi-final first-leg defeat to Manchester City.

But after a draw against Wolves in the league on Sunday, Newcastle have a chance to regain some momentum when they host PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Howe’s side are 12th in the league phase, two points behind the automatic qualification places (the top eight) with two matchdays to go.

Newcastle have won their last two Champions League home games, keeping a clean sheet in both. They had only kept two clean sheets in their first 13 at St. James’ Park in the competition.

This is the third different campaign in which Newcastle and PSV have met. The Dutch side won both meetings in the 1997-98 Champions League group stage, while Newcastle progressed 3-2 on aggregate in the 2003-04 UEFA Cup quarter-final (1-1 away, 2-1 home).

Howe has come under fire in recent weeks due to his tactics, and he understands that the Newcastle fans want an attacking brand of football, while keeping the principles of two legends of the club.

“I am very aware of the history with Sir Bobby [Robson]. The values he stood for: hard work, good organisation, always going to the end and never giving up,” said Howe.

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“Trying to do the crowd justice and representing the club in the right way – I think they were all values he stood for.

“He wanted his team to give everything on a matchday, and we have been trying to live by these principles since day one when I arrived here.

“Very similar to Kevin Keegan’s principles as well, he was maybe more expansive in his way of playing, but we are trying to live by those principles, and I think that is what the crowd want to see.”