'The big difference': Alan Shearer pinpoints what Eddie Howe has got right to change NUFC's fortunes

As far as starts to the season go, this one will be one to forget for Newcastle United. While they initially picked up some good points, their performances left a lot to be desired.

The Magpies kept pace with the top four without ever looking comfortable in the initial opening games, but there was a real need to improve performances, which was something that Eddie Howe had admitted.

The gaffer did manage to improve the levels of performance all round, but in doing so they lost that scrappiness that was allowing them to pick up points.

Instead, Newcastle would comfortably control possession and then in the final third, completely run out of ideas. They'd ultimately run themselves into the ground allowing teams to pick them off, and suddenly, the games looked nicer to watch, but there were no points coming our way.

Newcastle outplayed Nottingham Forest at their own game on Sunday

That has all changed recently with three wins on the trot in all competitions, goals from open play returning to our game and even a goal from a corner on Sunday.

Newcastle look much more like their old selves now, back to the season in which they qualified for the Champions League which is, of course, the aim this season.

Even Nuno Espirito Santo couldn't argue that his Nottingham Forest side were simply outplayed by Newcastle on Sunday.

Alan Shearer feels Eddie Howe has got the balance right

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer spoke about what Eddie Howe has done to set things back on the right path.

"He's found the balance in midfield, and that's been the big difference, where the change has been. Joe Willock's come in to the left of the three in midfield, Bruno [Guimaraes] in the middle and [Sean] Longstaff just to the right of him. Then, Joelinton either left side up front or right side, he played both sides again today which allows Gordon to play left or right.

"I think that balance has worked perfectly and that has been the big difference.

"They've got their mojo back. They've got their energy back. They look much more like team from a year ago or 18 months ago when they were really tough to play against."