Newcastle United hero Chris Waddle is reserving judgment on manager Eddie Howe - despite the team's progress over 2022.

Howe has been a revelation on Tyneside, guiding the club away from a relegation battle last season to a top three placing as this campaign went into recess for the World Cup.

However for Waddle, it's still too soon to judge the former Bournemouth and Burnley manager. The Geordie insists Toon fans will learn more about Howe once the team suffers an inevitable form slump.

Speaking to Tribalfootball.com on behalf of FreeSuperTips, Waddle explained: "Eddie Howe did very well at Bournemouth with what he achieved at that club getting them up the leagues.

"He had a good budget to work with and he brought in players who seemed to gel well together, and it always seems to be a happy camp wherever he's been.

"He's carried that on with Newcastle, the team seems to be full of confidence since he walked in.

"There hasn't really been a time where he's had to go in on the players because they've all performed.

"The atmosphere at the stadium is unbelievable, the fans have bought into this new ownership, the style of play and the players.

"They've given everyone confidence in the stadium, so everything is going so smoothly at the minute.

"Every club will have a blip at some point, it's just how you get through it.

"There will be a run of games where results might not be going well, then it'll be important to see if he can keep the confidence up and make big decisions on when to bring players in and out.

"That's all part of being a manager, at the minute it's going very well, and I bet they can't wait for the next Newcastle United game.

"He didn't need this break; he didn't need the World Cup so it'll be interesting to see how they get on when they're back."