He has focused on making Newcastle a well-organised, tactically aware unit.

Spanish journalist and Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balagué described him as a good passer of the ball, tactically aware and positionally disciplined, and "not scared of the physical side", comparing him in style to Javier Mascherano, but "with a better range of passing".

Yet he had been Brearley's choice to succeed him, for he had perceived that Botham was an intelligent, tactically aware player and believed that he offered 'tremendous hope for a new, vital start'.

The game is far more evolved now, even with greater protection from the refs, he has to deal with defenders that are much better drilled and tactically aware.

You still have to be accurate with passes, forward players have to be tactically aware and move into channels, look for space etc.