Newcastle must learn how to get a tune out of Isak
THERE is frustration on Tyneside, but only because expectation has escalated. Understandably so, given the money spent and the fine job Eddie Howe has done since January.
But now Newcastle are being met with fresh challenges, simultaneously having to learn how to break down opponents set up to contain, while also working out a way to get the best from £60million Alexander Isak. The answer to the latter could well provide the solution to the former. The record books state that club-record signing Isak has scored two in three since arriving from Real Sociedad, but all of the talk at St James’ Park on Saturday — and two weeks prior following a home stalemate with Crystal Palace — was of an isolated figure not yet in tune with his team-mates. There is a feeling his qualities, at least for now, will be better suited to playing away from home, as witnessed during his debut at Liverpool when twice stealing clear of the backline before finishing superbly. A marginal offside denied him the second of those goals.
Isak was bought to make the difference in games such as this against Bournemouth, whose low block and rigid structure were a mark of respect but also a new headache for Howe. And while his new Swedishish striker earned a point with a well-ell-taken penalty, it was the sole occasion in which he hadd space in the box. Little wonder he grabbed the ball after a VAR check spotted Jefferson Lerma’s handball. Howe acknowledges the need to work with the young striker. ‘He’s learning, and not just how the team plays, but also how his teammates play,’ said the headd coach, whose side had 733 per cent possession and 20 shots.hots. ‘Again, there were flashess from himhim, but I don’t think, as a team, we did well enough to get him into goalscoring positions. We didn’t feed him the ball early enough. He was a little bit isolated. But let’s look at the positives — he took his penalty brilliantly and he worked hard for the team. He definitely contributed, but we know we can get him involved a lot more than that.’ Kieran Trippier echoed those sentiments. ‘It’s more about developing as a team and finding his strengths,’ said the captain. ‘Everyone has seen what he’s all about. I’ve played against him in La Liga. He plays off the shoulder, he’s quick, he’s good in the air. We’ve got an all-round striker, for such a young age.’ Isak is 22 years old and one Swedish journalist present believes Newcastle have paid a high premium for potential, flagging inconsistency as a concern in his homeland.
Former Newcastle great Malcolm Macdonald, meanwhile, said during Saturday’s game that Isak will benefit from the return of Callum Wilson, a player more suited to the demands of a central striker role. Howe hinted as much afterwards. ‘He is a versatile
player and we obviously moved him briefly to wide left when Chris Wood came on,’on, he said.sa ‘He can play in a slightly deeperde role as well, so there is flexibility with him.’ But howh Newcastle need WilsonWils and Allan SaintMaximin back in their team.e While the owners haveh invested in excess of £200m since January, they haven’t addressed one of the greatest areas of need — wingers. Howe inherited a wreck of a defence and has buibuilt from the back. His side have lost just once this seseason, and that came in the 98th minute at Anfield. The flip side is ththat they have not won since the opening day against Nottingham Forest. Minus SaintMaximin, they lack a dribbler capable of disrupting obdurate opposition.
But credit, too, to Bournemouth and caretaker Gary O’Neil, whose team led through Philip Billing and were good value for a point which makes it five from three matches under his charge. An impending takeover has complicated his situation, but sticking with O’Neil is their best option on this evidence. They are level on points with Newcastle, and that is why frustration lingers at St James’. NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Pope 6.5; Trippier 6.5, Schar 6, Burn 6.5, Targett 6.5; Willock 6.5, Guimaraes 6.5 (Longstaff 72min, 6), Joelinton 6.5; Almiron 6.5 Wood 89), Isak 6, Fraser 6 (Murphy 71, 6). Scorer: Isak 67 (pen). Booked: Joelinton, Targett Manager: Eddie Howe 6.5 BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Neto 7; Smith 6, Mepham 6.5, Senesi 6.5, Zemura 6.5; Cook 7, Lerma 6; Tavernier 6.5, Anthony 80), Billing 7 (Stephens 90), CHRISTIE 7.5 (Stacey 87); Solanke 6.5 (Moore 90). Scorer: Billing 62. Booked: Tavernier, Christie. Manager: Gary O’Neil 7. Referee: Craig Pawson 7. Attendance: 52,238.