Newcastle: Dion Dublin is right, Eddie Howe is totally responsible for Will Osula development
Newcastle United had Will Osula to thank once again on Sunday as he scored a brace in their 3-1 win over West Ham.
The Danish forward has come into his own in recent weeks, and he netted another double to down the Hammers, thanks to some clinical finishing at St James’ Park.
The 22-year-old broke away to coolly slot home his first goal in the 19th minute, before a neat one-two with Joe Willock provided him with an easy finish for his second with 65 on the clock.
Osula has emerged from nowhere to become the Magpies’ starting striker in recent weeks, and he has taken his chance with both hands, as he has now scored six goals in his last six Premier League games.
Newcastle’s form has turned around across the last few of those matches, and the youngster’s influence has been clear to see at the top of the pitch.
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VISIT THE NEWCASTLE MATCH HUBEddie Howe has managed Will Osula perfectly
Dion Dublin was full of praise for Osula during his analysis of Newcastle’s win on Match of the Day on Sunday night, and he was keen to praise Eddie Howe for the way that he has handled the starlet of late.
“He (Osula) has been managed well,” the former Aston Villa frontman said.
“I believe that Howe has looked at him and thought that he now looks ready and incredibly fit. His finishing is very good, and £15million from Sheffield United looks like money well spent now.”
| Stats | Osula Totals |
| Apps (Starts) | 23 (7) |
| Goals | 7 |
| Goals per 90 | 0.85 |
| xG | 4.29 |
| Big Chances Missed per 90 | 0.48 |
| Conversion Rate | 30.4% |
Dublin is undoubtedly correct in his assessment of Howe’s role in Osula’s development, as he has waited for the perfect opportunity before throwing him in at the deep end.
The Dane still only has seven starts in the league this term, and six have come since the beginning of April, with that run also bringing his rich vein of goalscoring form.
Timing is crucial when it comes to young players, and Howe’s decision to throw Osula in when others have faltered looks to be a masterstroke.
The boss has been unsatisfied with the work from some of the bigger names in the squad, and he appears to have put the fire in Osula’s belly to go out and impress.
His impact at Newcastle in recent weeks has been hugely positive, and both he and Howe will now surely be full of confidence that he could potentially become a key player for them next term.
Osula ‘doing everything’ to stay at Newcastle long-term
Football Insider revealed earlier in May that Osula is “doing everything” to convince Newcastle that he is worthy of a place in their squad long-term, after being heavily linked with a move away in recent transfer windows.
The youngster came within a whisker of moving to Eintracht Frankfurt back in January, but Howe and Co. ultimately decided against a mid-season sale, and they have reaped the rewards of that call since then.
Osula is already receiving interest from clubs across Europe ahead of the upcoming summer window, but it is understood that he has little intention of looking for a move away.
The forward is said to be perfectly happy at St James’ and the moment, and feels that he has earned himself a strong chance of getting greater minutes under his belt next term.
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