Eddie Howe has squeezed every drop out of Newcastle United to propel the club to lofty Champions League heights - he is now due a helping hand in return.
Eddie Howe was as brazen and bullish as he had been all season at his post-match press conference on Sunday. There was no need for mind games or deflected answers. For the first time as Newcastle United manager, this felt like a man, whose stellar methods have squeezed every drop of talent from the squad this season, cunningly using the media to fire his message out.
“I will have a discussion with the chairman and representatives from PIF today so I look forward to that, trying to lay some foundations to what lies ahead in the summer,” Howe told reporters. “The planning and all the things that go on behind the scenes have been going on for a number of weeks to try and set things up for what we need to do.
“Speed is key for us and I have reiterated that many times internally. Speed is key because we have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things very quickly because good players don’t hang around for long.
“That’s always been my thought and my message on recruitment. The power of the Champions League is huge. It’s a selling point for us now, it’s an opportunity to sell that dream to future players that might be considering coming to us.”
Amid the Champions League celebrations, with the Carabao Cup win cementing Newcastle’s best season for 98 years, was a meticulous thinker already concerned about what happens next. Howe looked furious at the full-time whistle - and rightly so - as the Magpies required a big favour from an unlikely ally in Manchester United.
He must have scratched his head when looking across the bench and wondering who could change a game. The Toon bench is emaciated, with an out-of-sorts Joe Willock and 33-year-old Callum Wilson the Hail Mary options.
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That simply will not cut the mustard when Newcastle aim to compete across four fronts next season. Experience from two years ago will be invaluable given the unprecedented injury record that almost crippled United’s campaign.
They must not repeat the same mistake. The shackles of PSR have been cut free and Newcastle need at least three top-drawer players, preferably at right-wing, centre-back and between the sticks. Some may argue signing another midfielder or backup striker too.
Enthusiasm inside St James’ Park will be at an all-time high heading into a Champions League campaign if new players are on show. Howe performed a miracle to get them to this point - Newcastle must now repay the favour and back him to the hilt this summer.
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