Eddie Howe has had great success stories in the transfer window such as Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall - but finds himself being hit by critics over more recent activity
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and (inset) Yoane Wissa
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and (inset) Yoane Wissa
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe hopes that Toon fans don't 'beat him with a stick' over one or two signings that have not hit the ground running at St James' Park.
Last week former captain Rob Lee questioned the club's success rate in the transfer market on arrivals such as Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey. Howe had sole control over recruitment last season with no sporting director or CEO in place.
It led to a £250m spending spree with only Malick Thiaw deemed a success story this season despite Woltemade making a good start. Speaking about recruitment, Howe said ahead of this weekend's clash with Crystal Palace: "I think from my perspective, we've recruited players here since I've been here in the same way.
"So, although we've had different sporting directors, the processes haven't changed. So, when we recruit a player, what’s fundamentally important is that me and the coaching team like that player and can see a way that we can get the very best out of him in our team.
"Signing a player that doesn't fit that criteria, I think, is unhealthy.
"And the club have been really good in helping me sort of mould the squad as I want to. So I think I always say judge me by every signing that we've made since I've been here, not just by one or two that people want to sort of beat me with a stick with.
"Across the board, I think we've recruited really well.
"Of course, there will be question marks on certain players. I understand that comes with the territory. But I'm really proud of our recruitment.
"There's got a lot of work that's gone into it. But all the players that we've signed, whether it's abroad or domestic based, have been chased and endorsed by myself."
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