SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Newcastle need to splash more cash to win biggest trophies, warns Howe
EDDIE HOWE has warned that further investment is needed if Newcastle are to fulfil the ambition stated by Amanda Staveley this week and win the Premier League and Champions League.
The club’s co-owner responded to last weekend’s defeat by Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final when, during an interview with talkSPoRT, she declared: ‘We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will win the
Champions League and we will win the Premier League.’
Howe smiled when that bold statement was put to him yesterday and, while welcoming Staveley’s intent, stressed that expectations also need to be tempered in the short-term.
He also accepts that Sunday’s loss was a reminder that his squad is still short when it comes to bridging the gap to the top sides.
‘It is difficult for me to say, “Yes, categorically, only money can do that”, because it takes away one of my core beliefs that you can improve players and take them on a journey with you,’,’ said Howe. ‘But there iss an element of truth in that you need investment - to really compete at the elite level. We are trying to disturb the top group of teams, it is difficult to do that without that investment.
‘ So I do feel we e have to more go. We (spending) need dd a bigger squad. We have been stretched at times this season. We needd to invest wisely and smartly.
on Staveley’s comments, Howe said: ‘I love Amanda’s positivity. I’ve got no issue with it. All I’d say is, from my perspective, there is no time limit on that because if we set targets that are maybe too short- term, that can have a negative effect and it can build external pressure that the players don’t need.
‘The next leap forward is harder. The speed with which the team has improved has been so quick that people assume that is simply going to continue. But it is not that easy. Getting better gets harder the higher you go. So we have big challenges ahead and we are going to have to be smart in what we do. My work will be judged on that evolution of the team. After winning at Leicester on Boxing Day, Newcastle have won just once in the seven matches since and are in danger of slipping out of the European places if that form continues. But Howe says his players have been distracted by the Carabao Cup run and admits he has needed to lift their spirits ahead of today’s lunchtime trip to Manchester City.
‘We have had team meetings and individual meetings to try and rid the players of any, not negative emotion, but sadness,’ he said.
‘ There was a feeling of just sadness. Sadness when you are going to play Manchester City is not a good emotion. I think that has worked, because initially it was difficult for them.
‘The end of phase one is perhaps a nice way of putting it. We all felt a bit of closure on Sunday night, the cup adventure was over. We need to get back to the Premier League and get back to playing how we were a few weeks ago. I think that’s just human nature that players were distracted.
‘I don’t think the players could have avoided what was in their face. Now we are back to the league, starting that journey again and we want to excel.’