Eddie Howe has his squad set for the next four months, but the battle is just beginning. Ahead of the visit of Wolves, he talked to the media about the tribulations faced and the trials to come this month.
‘I like the group of players’
Anthony Elanga, a £55 million arrival from Nottingham Forest, was the only signing of July. But Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade, and Yoane Wissa all arrived in the final four weeks of the transfer window. That work has left Howe much happier with his squad.
“You can make snap judgments once the signings are initially made, but time is the best judgment of that and I think we will see how this is re viewed as we move forward. I like the group of players that we have added to a strong squad. Not just in terms of ability and playing style, but in terms of people.”
Lloyd Kelly and Sean Longstaff left for £15 million apiece to **Juventus**and Leeds United, while the headline act, Alexander Isak, is now at **Liverpool**after a record £125 million move. The PSR pinch persisted this year and the Toon continue to try to learn how to align sporting and financial goals.
“You have to trade to produce income. We have certainly been in that position for a long time and unfortunately, it's well documented. We sold a couple of players that we did not want to historically for PSR reasons. We hope to be in a position where we do not have to make those type of decisions again.”
With the window shut, Howe has focused on working with the players as he likes to do the most.
“It has been great the last two weeks to be on the training pitch and focusing purely with the players, the small group of players that I had to work with, trying to find ways to improve them and get the best out of them. And that's always at the core and the heart of the job I do. I've really enjoyed it.”
‘We need to build momentum’
The Champions League returns in this next block of fixtures. Newcastle now must get ready to play seven times in just 23 days and the international break has helped to prepare the players for the task.
“There's going to be a great period for us in terms of challenges, quick turnarounds. We are going to need the whole squad ready to play. And that's why the last two weeks has been good because we've been able to get work into players that needed it. Everyone is in a very good physical condition now.”
Domestic targets cannot fall by the wayside. Howe's men have not won any of their first three fixtures, so the visit of Wolvesat St.James' Park has to be a must-win match for the group.
“I think it is a huge game for us because it's been a slow start in terms of results. I don't think it's been a slow start in terms of performances but we need to build momentum into our season very quickly.”
The Englishman expressed his respect for the guests despite the exodus from the squad this summer.
“The level is so high and Wolves will be difficult and dangerous opponents for us. They gave us two really good games last year, tight games. They were more than in those games and we know and fully respect them. Hopefully with the quality that we have in the squad we can get back to winning ways.”
He appealed to the fans for their backing, but the 47-year-old knows the Geordies will be good to go.