Newcastle legend, Steve Howey, has said he loves the defensive performances of the current Magpies’ team but claims that Kevin Keegan’s entertainers would still prove too strong for Eddie Howe’s side.
Howey was a key cog in Newcastle’s heady days of the mid-’90s, having the unenviable task of marshalling a defence that was constantly left exposed due to the attack-mindedness of Keegan’s tactics. As open as the Toon defence was back then, and as many goals as they conceded, the likes of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, and Peter Beardsley at the other end of the pitch usually resulted in Keegan’s side scoring more than their opposition.
It is this fact that makes Howey believe that the entertainers would come out on top in a dream match-up, despite being hugely impressed by today’s crop of defenders.
Speaking to the Sun, Howey said: “Look, that Newcastle defence is excellent. They’ve been like a brick wall at times.
“But would they have shut out the team we had with Kevin? I don’t think so.
“Come on — David Ginola and Peter Beardsley creating chances for Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer with Tino [Asprilla] coming off the bench? This team is good but not THAT good!”
Shearer and Ferdinand having a rough and tumble battle against Botman and Schar, Ginola taking on Trippier, and big Dan Burn trying to shackle little Peter Beardley really would be amazing to see and it would be very interesting to see who the better side would be.
Despite being hugely impressed by the current back four on Tyneside, Howey was also full of praise for the work rate of the rest of the team, and for the mastermind behind the team’s revival, Eddie Howe. He also had an interesting idea for a nickname for today’s team.
“Not too many teams have looked like penetrating that back four of Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn. And even when they do, they’ve still got to beat Nick Pope, who’s been in terrific form.
“But don’t underestimate the job of those in front of them. Miggy Almiron works his backside off to help the defence and how many times does Joelinton get that little nick on the ball to break up an attack?
“At this rate, they’ll get their own label like we did with The Entertainers. How about the So Solid Crew because that’s what they are?
“I’ve spoken to a few people in the game who’ve witnessed Eddie’s training sessions and they’re blown away by the intensity and how clever they are.”
When asked which team would come out on top in a match against each other, Howey said:
“Ah, that’s an easy one. We’d have won. Mind you, it would be a great game!”