Eddie Howe ‘given vote of confidence’ as Newcastle transfer woes ramp up
Eddie Howe will be looking to put a tumultuous summer behind him and now the 47-year-old has been given a vote of confidence.
Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park remains uncertain and Newcastle have endured a difficult summer transfer window on the whole.
Aside from their leading marksman angling for a move throughout the summer, Newcastle’s ambitions in the transfer window have been consistently stunted as the club keep missing out on key targets.
Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo chose Manchester United instead, while James Trafford’s move to the Magpies was blocked by Manchester City swooping in with their buy-back clause for the goalkeeper.
Newcastle have still added quality to their squad despite those hurdles and now Howe is receiving a boosted vote of confidence as transfer deadline day approaches.
Howe still being backed despite difficult situation
Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, and Malick Thiaw have all arrived at Newcastle this summer, bolstering Howe’s options as the former Bournemouth manager looks to build on the Magpies’ first silverware in 70 years following their Carabao Cup win in February.
Speaking in a Q&A for BBC Sport (19 August), chief football writer Phil McNulty backed Howe to succeed despite their tricky summer of dealings, writing: “If they can sign Wissa and get another done then that is very good business, but losing Isak would be a big blow.
“Trust Eddie Howe, though, as he seems well in control of everything and Newcastle still have some very fine players.”
McNulty praised the business the club have carried out to date, adding: “I think Newcastle have actually done some good business so far, bringing in Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa.
“Elanga played a big role in Forest reaching Europe, while I really like Ramsey. He was very popular with Villa fans as a local product and I bet Villa were very reluctant sellers.
“They have also brought in defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, but there is no getting away from the fact Isak’s discontent – and his behaviour – has cast a shadow.”
Newcastle have a good squad but goals the question without Isak
Football Insider verdict
The loudest news surrounding Newcastle this summer has largely been based around players who they haven’t brought in or the behaviour of tjeir star striker as Isak pursues a move away from Newcastle.
However, the concrete business the Magpies have done is really encouraging and has quietly raised the quality of Howe’s side adding more depth and variety to the team.
Elanga provides a quick and direct alternative to Jacob Murphy on the right flank and paired with Harvey Barnes on the left, Newcastle pack a punch on the counter-attack, while the technical quality of Anthony Gordon can be deployed on either wing as well.
| Name | Goals | Assists |
| Anthony Gordon | 6 | 5 |
| Jacob Murphy | 8 | 12 |
| Anthony Elanga (Notts Forest) | 6 | 11 |
| Harvey Barnes | 9 | 4 |
| Yoane Wissa (Brentford) | 19 | 4 |
Their settled midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes will continue to be as imperious as ever while Thiaw reinforces one of the Premier League’s most staunch defences.
The major questions come at the striker position with Isak’s future uncertain and the absence of a recognisable striker alternative in the squad.
Their pursuit of Yoane Wissa from Brentford continues but the Bees don’t look like backing down from their asking price for the Democratic Republic of Congo international, so a move may take time to develop.
While Howe will likely continue to build his team around their robust defensive structure and hit teams on the counter attack the lack of a clinical talisman will continue to haunt Newcastle until a solution is found one way or another.