Chris Sutton says Fraser ‘lost his way’ but looks ‘confident’ under Howe

Ryan Fraser has enjoyed a fine run of form since Eddie Howe was appointed Newcastle manager and credited his former Bournemouth boss for helping him turn things around. The 27-year-old said Howe has been working one-to-one with him at Newcastle but admitted he has himself to blame for his earlier struggles upon his arrival in the North-East.

Fraser has created eight chances, whipped in 11 accurate crosses, had eight shots and won ten freekicks in his last six Premier League games. The Scottish international has started seven consecutive league outings too, so he has his manager’s trust.

Howe and Fraser had a falling out at Bournemouth after the latter rejected a new deal and signalled his intent to leave, resulting in Howe dropping him because of a lack of commitment, but Chris Sutton believes they’ve buried the hatchet and says it’s paying dividends on the pitch.

He said on BBC 5 Live Sport’s The Monday Night Club: “You can imagine Eddie Howe feeling let down by (Fraser not playing in his final months at Bournemouth). Eddie is smart enough to know that bearing grudges wouldn’t be a sensible thing to do. He knows he needs Ryan Fraser, (who) lost his way at Newcastle up until the last couple of games where he looks a confident player again.”

Fraser has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring one goal with one assist. He struggled for consistency upon his 2020-move to Newcastle but has been in the best form of late.

In other news, Alan Shearer praises Dan Burn for ‘commanding display’ against Aston Villa