As he speaks the mind goes back to an episode last summer in Philadelphia during Newcastle’s pre-season tour to the United States when, unprompted, Howe seized the microphone and asked the audience if he could say a few words before delivering an impassioned explanation of how important Lascelles was and why he remains the captain.
“He didn’t have to take the microphone and say that. It was spontaneous. Completely,” Lascelles says. “I knew the answer before the press conference because I speak to him all the time so I wasn’t shocked by what he said.
“I was shocked by maybe him taking the mic and laying it down to everyone who was in there to stop asking these questions! It’s another reason why I value him so highly as a manager because he is a fair man, a proper man. He has been the absolute perfect fit. At Bournemouth they used to play some really good attacking football and being here so long, I knew that is what the fans wanted. Front-foot football.”
Another simple change brought in by Howe was the establishment of a leadership group of senior players – Lascelles, Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Ritchie. “We have weekly meetings – are there any issues? Are there things we need to improve on?” Lascelles says.
‘At 23 trying to lead and manage 25 lads is a difficult job’
“For years at Newcastle – and I have been captain since I was 22 and I am now 30 – there have been times when I have been left to my own devices. At 23, 24 being a young captain and trying to lead and manage 25 lads is a difficult job.”
It was made all the more difficult, of course, because of the toxic atmosphere that enveloped the club. At times under Ashley it felt like civil war and Lascelles, who was made captain under Rafael Benítez and kept it under Steve Bruce, was often the glue holding things together.
“Initially when I got given the armband of course it was a huge honour but I don’t think I realised how big it was. The responsibility was massive,” Lascelles says.
“I have had real testing times. Real testing times. But, I don’t know, I have a real strong mentality and I am quite driven. I always think it will be OK. That’s it really.
“I have good people around me and think if you work really hard then good things will come back to you. But it’s not been plain sailing. That’s sport. There are so many people who want to be in my shoes. Even when things are not going well it’s a real privileged position.”