Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was delighted to see his side respond to the Alexander Isak saga in positive fashion.
Isak is Newcastle United’s star player but is not available for the club amid his attempts to join Liverpool this summer.
That is bitterly disappointing and thoroughly unhelpful to a Newcastle side looking to build on their greatest season in living memory.
Still, for now at least, Howe’s side go on without him. Newcastle drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on Saturday to begin the season in relatively positive fashion.
Clearly, it was disappointing not to have won and the sight of good chances going begging is painful when Isak – one of the world’s best strikers – is not there.
However, to have played well after a very difficult summer for the club underlined the kind of team Newcastle supporters have.
Howe, it’s fair to say, was impressed.
Eddie Howe looks on during a Premier League game between Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe delighted as Newcastle United react to Alexander Isak saga
The saga isn’t over yet. Liverpool are expected to make another bid for Isak, who remains keen to leave St James’ Park.
What happens if and when that bid lands is up for debate.
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Luckily for the Newcastle United manager, the team responded. After so much talk about Newcastle collapsing this summer, they looked very strong against Villa – albeit with the obvious caveat that they couldn’t finish their chances.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Howe said: “We had to change the narrative around us really because everything was negative and sometimes that can consume you.
“We’ve consistently had players here that have fought really hard for the club in difficult circumstances before and we’ve always come through as a better team for it.
“This is a unique situation and a difficult situation for the players to handle but today I think they were brilliant in their response.”
Newcastle United bruised not broken by Alexander Isak
Newcastle feel “bruised” over the Isak saga, having reportedly felt as if qualification for the Champions League was enough to keep him happy.
Indeed, Newcastle fans are furious with Isak over his behaviour and it’s difficult to see how he works his way back into their favour even if he does stay.
What is obvious, however, is that Newcastle will not be broken by it. Yes, they are a better team with him in the side but that has nothing to do with their character.
There has been so much negative noise about Newcastle this summer but the early evidence suggests they are not letting it have too much of an impact.