Newcastle United star backs ‘intense’ Eddie Howe amid Chelsea comparisons

Newcastle United defender Dan Burn has given a fascinating insight into the ‘intense’ methods being implemented by Magpies manager Eddie Howe.

After being chosen as successor to Steve Bruce, the former Bournemouth boss has overseen a significant improvement during his 10 months in charge at St James Park.

After failing to win his first three games in charge last season, Howe finally claimed a first maximum when Callum Wilson’s goal was enough to see of Burnley at St James Park.

With Howe’s methods making an impact, and a positive January transfer window seeing a number of impressive signings - including Burn - make their way to Tyneside, United were one of the Premier League’s form sides during the second half of the season.

That momentum has been carried into the new season and Magpies star Burn has been impressed with what he has seen from his manager.

The Blyth-born defender revealed what he finds ‘crazy’ about Howe’s training methods and compared the United boss with one recently appointed Premier League manager.

He told BBC Radio 5Live’s Football Daily: “I knew it was going to be intense. There are a lot of similarities between Graham Potter and Howe with the way they go about preparing for games. There are differences as well.

“With Eddie now, the way that we play demands a certain level of intensity, and it comes every single day. The sessions are a lot longer than what I was used to and I took a little while to get used to.

“What I find crazy about the gaffer’s training at the minute is that we never really seem to do the same session twice. He’s got so many sessions saved, and every single day it’s something completely new.”

Burn has quickly become an influential figure within the United squad.

It should not be forgotten that the lifelong Magpies supporter has still made just 22 appearances since returning to the North East from Brighton in the final hours of the January transfer window.

Burn wasted little time in making his mark as his steadying influence at the heart of the United defence helped Howe’s side ease their relegation worries and secure a mid-table finish by the close of last season.

Burn has featured in all six of the club’s Premier League fixtures so far this season and remains a key part of Howe’s plans, despite the summer arrival of highly-rated Lille centre-back Sven Botman.

Reflecting on the increased competition for places and his own move to St James Park, Burn admitted he was ‘desperate’ to represent his boyhood club and is confident he can continue to impress in the future.

“The centre-halves we were linked with in January... we went and signed Sven in the summer,” he explained.

“I always knew it could be the case of being signed to be a short-term fix, knowing that in the long-term they were going to have to do something.

“I’ve said in interviews before that if I can get myself into the team, I’ll back myself against anyone who they bring in. I believe in my ability and believe what I can bring to the team.

“It wasn’t where I was thinking I’ll come and sign in January, and in six months that’ll be me done. It’s something I wanted to do, something that I’d dreamt of when I was a kid, it’s who I wanted to play for and this opportunity might never come again.

“At some point you’ve got to take a risk in as much as I was happy at Brighton, and I was playing week in, week out for the majority of the time. My family were living down there and were very happy, so it was a risk in that sense. But as soon as I knew Newcastle were involved, I was desperate to go.”