Toon Titans: The Ultimate Eddie Howe XI (Made Entirely of Newcastle Legends)
There’s something electric about watching Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United. High press, pacey transitions and plenty of goals. But what if Howe had a time machine to summon the best players ever to wear the black and white?
I took Howe’s ideal 4-3-3, but with a twist, every player must be from Newcastle’s glorious (and sometimes gloriously chaotic) history. Here’s a Legends XI for the Eddie Howe era.
Goalkeeper: Shay Given
Years: 1997–2009 If Eddie Howe wants a keeper who can ping passes and make miracle saves, look no further than Shay. The Irish cat was basically a one-man barrier during some of Newcastle’s more “leaky” years. Agile, quick off his line, and blessed with reactions that would make a ninja jealous.
Right-Back: Warren Barton
Years: 1995–2002 Barton wasn’t just a reliable defender – he could bomb forward with the best of them. Howe would love his overlapping energy, and you just know he’d be living in the opposition half, whipping in crosses and wearing down wingers with his engine.
Centre-Back: Philippe Albert
Years: 1994–1999 Cool as a cucumber dipped in Belgian chocolate (does that work?) Not only was Albert a solid defender, but he had swag. Remember that lob over Schmeichel? In Howe’s build-from-the-back system, Albert would be strolling forward like a ball-playing ballerina.
Centre-Back: Jonathan Woodgate
Years: 2003–2004 Yes, his time at the club was short and injuries cruel, but my word – what a player. Calm, intelligent, and with a radar for interceptions, he’d be Howe’s tactical dream. The Rolls-Royce defender to pair with Albert’s adventurous nature.
Left-Back: Olivier Bernard
Years: 2000–2005 A trickier decision for left-back. A feisty, hard-running full-back who loved to get forward and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in either. Bernard had pace, grit, and an eye for a goal (remember that rocket against Man United?). He’d thrive in Howe’s aggressive setup, overlapping like mad and pressing like a man on a mission. Plus, he had that unteachable edge, a bit of bite Howe’s side thrives on.
Defensive Midfield: Rob Lee
Years: 1992–2002 Rob Lee was a box-to-box maestro, but in this system, he’s the midfield anchor with brains and brawn. He could pass, tackle, and dictate tempo, and he’d definitely rack up the most distance. He’s the heartbeat in the Howe press machine.
Central Midfield: Gary Speed (Captain)
Years: 1998–2004 Speed could do it all, win headers, score screamers, lead by example. He’s the perfect engine-room general in the half-space, charging forward late, tracking back early, and setting the tone for every press. And with what he showed as manager of Wales, he’d be Eddie’s brains on the pitch.
Central Midfield: Yohan Cabaye
Years: 2011–2014 Ah, Yohan, the beautiful French maestro. Vision, guile, and a passing range to die for. In Howe’s front-foot system, Cabaye’s the playmaker who unpicks the locks, threads through-balls to the wide men, and occasionally unleashes a banger from 30 yards. Très magnifique.
Right Wing: David Ginola
Years: 1995–1997 Howe likes flair. Here’s a full bottle of it. Ginola was elegance wrapped in chaos. Dribbles, stepovers, and the occasional goal that made you question physics. You’d need two defenders just to mark him, and that it’s if they’re not distracted by his glorious hair.
Striker: Alan Shearer
Years: 1996–2006 Who else? The greatest Premier League goal-scorer of all time. Shearer in a pressing system might sound like a stretch, but remember, Big Al worked hard. He’d lead the line, smash in crosses, and frighten centre-backs half to death. Oh, and score 30 goals a season. Minimum.
Left Wing: Laurent Robert
Years: 2001–2006 Want chaos, wondergoals, and a left foot capable of launching missiles? Robert brings unpredictability in spades. He’d cut in, curl screamers top bins, and give Howe that attacking edge. Plus, he might even track back… sometimes.
Final Thoughts
Would they win the league? Probably. Would they entertain? Absolutely. It’s history and high-octane football, Howe style.
