Another game and another frustrating result for Newcastle United as we were held to a 0-0 draw away to Leeds United.
With just a point to our name from the two games against Aston Villa and Liverpool, a win at Elland Road was needed to bolster our position in the Premier League heading into the international break.
But some questionable choices, tactics and performances ultimately cost us three points on a day where £69m new boy Nick Woltemade watched on from the stands. But what did Eddie Howe make of it all?
On a a blunt attacking performance
----------------------------------
It’s becoming a bit of a recurring theme at this point, but it was yet another game where the lack of quality striker stood out, although it was our inability to create chances that stood out as much as anything.
The recorded ‘expected goals’ for the game was 1.01 xG, the lowest we’ve seen in a Premier League fixture this season, with recalled
Despite his dramatic equaliser against Liverpool, Will Osula, alongside the interesting attack of Jacob Ramsey and Jacob Murphy, just couldn’t find the back of the net.
On today’s attacking woes, Howe commented that improvements would have to be made ahead of our next game against Wolves, but he did praise our defensive display after another clean sheet:
> _“We are usually a very good attacking team, free scoring, and very good chance creation, but it hasn’t quite been there. Certainly today it wasn’t. So there is work to do in that respect.”_
>
> _“We have to do better with what we have but when you lose the quality of player that we had last season to this season, and then Anthony Gordon is a big miss as well, and Joelinton._ _Alex (Isak) is a huge player for us so you take those three away and you are going to suffer slightly.”_
>
> _“Our defensive display was very good, as it has been this season, so that’s a positive sign. We look resilient and strong.”_
On more signings and Isak’s situation
-------------------------------------
Club record signing Nick Woltemade was watching from the stands at Elland Road, having completed his mega move from Stuttgart, but another striker is needed to bulk up the glaring weak spot in our current squad.
Howe revealed his wish to land “one more” before 7pm on Monday, feeling that may be the final move needed to give him a “full strength” squad able to compete on multiple fronts:
> _“I’d love to (sign) one more player, just to get the full strength I think we need.”_
Of course, if we get a new forward is very much dependent on the Isak situation and whether Liverpool meet our valuation of the Swede: something even Howe looks to be in the dark about.
> _“On Alex’s situation, I’ve got no communication, no update for you._
>
> _“We are still looking to actively recruit, but I don’t know if that has any relation at all to Alex’s situation.”_
On impact Woltemade can make
----------------------------
Going back to the German international, Howe feels that the addition of Woltemade will help us improve in areas where we haven’t particularly shone so far this season.
The boss praised his technical ability for a player of his height, creativity, ability to dribble with the ball and score goals, feeling his presence will give everyone a lift:
> _“Well he’s a really good technician: his size will be a talking point because you know he’s obviously a big presence, but he’s not really a target man, though he can head the ball.”_
>
> _“It’s his creativity around the box, his link play, he dribbles with the ball so well for someone so big, and he’s got real creativity around the box.”_
>
> _“He will find passes that not many other players will see, so I think he can add a dimension which we currently don’t have.”_
>
> _“And I just think generally that will lift confidence as well because when you feel you have goalscorers in your team, I think the general level of your squad goes up.”_
Ramsey and Botman fears eased
-----------------------------
The international break perhaps couldn’t have come at a better time for us, as it will allow some key players not playing for their country some much needed rest and time to heal from injuries.
Jacob Ramsey may a new name on that list, as despite a promising first half performance, Howe felt obligated to substitute him at half time for Lewis Miley.
> _“His ankle swelled up at half-time, so he decided not to take any risks.”_
Sven Botman meanwhile limped off the pitch, but Howe insisted that the big Dutchman is not injured, with his withdrawal a precautionary measure that allowed us to move away from a back three.