TOON MAY BE FRIENDLESS & POTLESS BUT IT’S NOT HOPELESS!
Howe: We don’t have friends in market, but we will stick to our long-term vision
EDDIE HOWE has delivered some harsh truths to his misfiring Newcastle squad.
Toon boss Howe told them that their Premier League nosedive can’t be stopped by new signings because the mega-rich club are not allowed to spend.
It can’t be stopped by players returning from injury because the treatment room is still too busy.
And it can’t be stopped by loan deals because they have no allies willing to do them a favour.
But Howe stressed that there is one thing that can pull them out of their slump: good old hope.
The Tyneside boss is confident the club’s super-wealthy Saudi owners are in it for the long haul but for now wants his stars to prove they can match champions Manchester City on Tyneside this evening.
Howe yesterday admitted that, because of FFP rules, he cannot afford to buy a player like Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, who has been linked with a move north.
And he echoed chief executive Darren Eales in saying he can’t guarantee that top players won’t be sold.
Loan bids have been rebuffed, with Howe saying: “I’m not sure we have many friends in the market.”
Asked if it has been premature to think the traditional top six had turned into a top seven following Newcastle’s resurgence, Howe said: “For us, it’s a longer-term vision. I don’t think you can suddenly put yourself in that top-six bracket. You have to prove it year on year.
“The accounts have given an insight into how far we have to go to become the team that everyone wants us to be.”
City’s income is £710million compared to Newcastle’s £250m. Howe said: “There was this conception when the owners took over that we were the richest club in the world. But, when talking about FFP, that’s irrelevant.
“My job is to push as hard as I can to improve the team, whether that is coaching or in the boardroom. My primary job is the team and to make it the best I can. So I will continue to do that. “I have to respect and understand the football club’s health and that’s the primary concern of everybody because we want Newcastle United here for the next 500 years. We want it in a really good place and we have a long-term job.” Newcastle officials earlier this week released club accounts which showed a £73million loss last year, with Toon badly hamstrung by Profit and Sustainability rules.
On Solanke (left), Howe said: “I love
Dominic. I signed him ( for Bournemouth)
and I rate him highly but we don’t have the ability to sign a player of that level.”
Asked to give assurances that Toon stars like Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak or kids like Sean Longstaff won’t be sold, Howe said: “I can’t offer any assurance on that. You can never tell what will happen in football.
“Every Premier League club will sell players. Man City have sold some very good players even though their income is the highest of any club. That is the landscape for everyone. We reluctantly sold Allan Saint-maximin in the summer.”
Newcastle appear to have no plans to spend this month.
They would like to take Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips on loan, especially with Joelinton out for six weeks through injury, but Howe said: “I’m not sure there are many clubs willing to help us.”
Asked directly about selling a home-grown academy player to loosen their PSR straitjacket, Howe did offer encouragement to local lad Longstaff. He added: “Sean has a longterm future here.
“Hopefully I have demonstrated that by picking him in most games I have had the opportunity to. He has become a vital part of my midfield.”
City defeated Newcastle 1-0 at the Etihad in August but Toon took quick revenge, beating Pep Guardiola’s men 1-0 in the League Cup in September.