Eddie Howe admits he and the Newcastle United boardroom are keen to strengthen in January, as the Magpies chief talked of potential ‘staleness’ within his squad after two transfer windows without a big-name signing. Yet, as ever, there was a hint that incoming business may be tricky to pull off next month given the club’s ongoing concerns over profit and sustainability rules [PSR].
Howe believes his side are ‘low on confidence’ after no shots on goal whatsoever in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday – and a total of 116 minutes since Newcastle‘s last a shot on target over their last two fixtures. Key players are struggling for form despite three successive wins before the international break, with something clearly missing since club football returned last week.
Howe hasn’t seen his squad strengthened since the summer of 2023 and openly insisted, rather uncharacteristically, that he won’t deny the fact freshening up his dressing room could be the answer. However, as usual, PSR wasn’t far away from the conversation.
“I think there is a desire from everyone at the club to deliver that,” Howe said, when asked if a new signing was possible in January. “I think freshness is important in a squad, I won’t sit here and deny that. There needs to be a certain element of trading in and out to keep the group dynamic new.
“A new dynamic and a new team always has to form every season. Sometimes, the same squad can produce a staleness and a negative product. So, I think we’re aware of that. But it’s about what we’re able to do rather than ‘I want’. What I want is clear. It’s what we’re able to do that is the key thing.
“You have to go to the realities of what is possible. You have to make decisions for the here and now, but also for the future. We have to make sure we don’t put ourselves in a position where the summer becomes very, very difficult to do what we need to do, or future windows beyond.”
Newcastle’s attacking struggles in the past 10 days could hardly be more different. Against West Ham United, Howe’s side enjoyed the vast majority of possession and shots, with a total of 18 attempts at St James’ Park. Fast forward to Saturday just gone and the Magpies needed a Marc Guehi own goal as their only effort on Palace’s goal.
“We will always look to attack. I make no apologies for that. I would rather not be in a job than not fulfil that promise to the supporters. We want to entertain ultimately,” Howe said on Tuesday morning.
“We want to play attacking football that ultimately the fans want to see. I know we are not delivering that at the moment and that is a frustration, we are not going to drop that we just have to become better than that.”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-uniteds-transfer-stance-explained-30504597
