Former Newcastle United coach Andy Woodman is gearing up for an emotional return to Tyneside.
Woodman spent four-and-a-half years at Newcastle as a goalkeeping coach under Alan Pardew, during his time at the club he learned to love the club and the area – it was no surprise he was overjoyed when Bromley, the team he now manages drew the Magpies in the FA Cup third round.
Newcastle face Bromley on Sunday as they kick off their FA Cup campaign, fans will be hoping they can win their first FA Cup since 1955.
Toon boss Eddie Howe has confirmed Alexander Isak won’t feature against Bromley after a small injury scare. William Osula is expected to take his place with Callum Wilson not back until February.
Woodman was famously part of the group that Mike Ashley offered eight-year contracts to in 2012 while the Magpies were enjoying a good run of form.
Now, in a recent interview, Woodman has revealed how he feels about Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall.
Andy Woodman’s “obsession” with Eddie Howe amid Newcastle return
Bromley have impressed in their first season in the Football League, Woodman’s side currently sits 12th in the fourth tier, just six points away from a play-off spot.
They’ve got a chance to provide an all-time FA Cup shock against the Magpies on Sunday. Woodman spoke to Miles Starforth ahead of the game where he was asked about the return to Tyneside and his thoughts on Eddie Howe.
Some Toon fans will be aware that he is the father of former Newcastle goalkeeper Freddie Woodman who now plays at Championship side Preston. Woodman was coached by Howe before his departure, but he definitely left his mark on him.
“When I got my managerial job, Freddie was (at Newcastle) at the time. Freddie spoke so highly of (Howe) in that period.
“I spent pretty much every day saying ‘what does he do? What do the staff do?’. I became a bit obsessed with what he does in training. Freddie told me so many things that I have implemented at my club on the training pitch, around the club.
“I have to look at Eddie and Jason, and look at what they have done, not only at Newcastle. I bumped into them when they were at Bournemouth.
“Me and Pards bumped into them at Southampton at a game. They were adrift at the bottom of the table, they couldn’t buy players. Not only did they keep Bournemouth up, they took them to the Premier League.
“That’s really my obsession with Eddie and Jason and what they have done there. It can be done. On some sort of scale, I’ve done that with Bromley already, and I want to keep doing that with Bromley.”
Newcastle must avoid another FA Cup embarrassment
Woodman and Bromley will undoubtedly be up for this game, the Magpies are in great form but the League Two side could come in and burst that bubble in an instant.
In previous years, Newcastle have been embarrassed by lower-league sides in the competition – most recently then-League One side Sheffield Wednesday beat Newcastle in the third round of the cup.
The season before that, Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Cambridge United at St James’ Park.
Howe needs to make sure his side takes the game seriously, there can’t be any complacency – it would completely derail their great run of form.
At an important time in the season, Newcastle enter the tie with the upmost confidence they can get the job done, but any lingering emotions from the past must be put aside for 90 minutes.
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