Why Eddie Howe welcoming Rayo Vallecano to challenge Newcastle United is no coincidence

Rayo Vallecano are the third-best supported club in Madrid. They are engaged in social issues and use their home games as a political vehicle. Rayo's manager Andoni Iraola has transformed the club from relegation candidates to European contenders. He played for Athletic Bilbao and Marcelo Bielsa. He managed AEK Larnaca and helped them reach the Europa League group stage.

Iraola took over in Spain and managed Mirandes to an 11th-placed finish. Eddie Howe visited Vallecas and learned a lot from Iraolola. Rayo Vallcano are unbeaten in seven games and currently sit eighth in La Liga. Newcastle United take on Rayos at St James' Park on Saturday. Newcastle return to competitive football against Bournemouth on Tuesday. The match is a warm-up for the return of the Premier League. It is Eddie's old club Barenemouth.