2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Aaron Stokes)
Newcastle United are storming towards a Champions League finish despite a threadbare squad, Eddie Howe's absence and a hectic schedule of late. All the while, keeping their best players fit and playing the high-tempo football the St James' Park faithful have got used to. Harvey Barnes' goals, Jacob Murphy's consistency and Sandro Tonali's sheer brilliance have played a big part in results of late but Newcastle's performance director, James Bunce, deserves his fair share of the praise too.
The backroom staff member may only have arrived this season but is proving to be an inspired appointment behind the scenes. Paul Mitchell, Newcastle's sporting director, may not have been able to splash the cash with player recruitment last summer and the lack of arrivals - only two back-up goalkeepers, £12m Will Osula and Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer - was criticised by supporters. However, he was instrumental in bringing his long-term confidant to Tyneside after the pair worked together closely at Monaco.
Bunce's arrival was necessary after a 2023/24 campaign that was blighted by mass injuries at St James' Park. This time around, with the backroom chief spending a wealth of time with Eddie Howe on the training pitch and Mitchell in the stands, Newcastle's injury issues have dramatically decreased. As such, the Magpies are firmly currently on track to land at least £50.
7m [based on last season's finances] in competition prize money for finishing in third place in the Premier League. Speaking at his pre-Aston Villa press conference on Friday , Jason Tindall praised Bunce - and sports science chief Dan Hodges - for their work of late in ensuring Newcastle can navigate a busy period while still playing with ferocious intensity. "It's what we wanna try and do, week in, week out, regardless of whoever we play against," he said.
"I think you have to give credit to James Bunce and Dan Hodges, the medical team and sports science team, for that as well because they play a big part in making sure that these lads are able to go out there and deliver the type of performances that's expected and that we want. "So full credit to them, and the players to be able to go out, as you say, and to repeat that level of intensity that they showed against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. Huge credit to everybody.
" Bunce is regularly spotted taking in training at Benton and regular features in post-match dressing celebration pictures alongside his fellow coaches. It is a reminder of the tight-knit nature of the United backroom collective - who are being tasked with leading the black and whites through the business end of the campaign in Howe's absence. Like Bunce, Graeme Jones, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone have had to take on their fair share of responsibility as Newcastle seek to book their place in the Champions League come the end of May.
"We're a close knit group. We know what's expected of each other - day in, day out - and they're all fantastic staff. Their roles have remained the same," Tindall added of the aforementioned first-team coaches.
"They've obviously had to take a bit of added responsibility as well, but you know it's not just the coaching staff. It's all the other support staff as well. "I spoke earlier about the sport science department and the medical department - everybody plays their part to be able to make sure the players are in the best possible condition they can be in to go out and deliver the level of performances that we want them to deliver.
So it's not about myself or the coaching staff, I think it's a real team effort from everybody.".
