EURO SPOT IS TALK OF THE TOON
SIMON BIRD
BY
NEWCASTLE stars have pledged to target European qualification NEXT season.
Toon boss Eddie Howe has been playing it cool, insisting the Geordies are on a steady rebuilding programme that will peak in five to eight years, despite being funded by a Saudi state wealth fund.
But player-of-the-season Joelinton has let slip the private target of Howe’s reinvigorated squad.
However, the United chief IS impressed that his squad have collectively set high targets as they head to Burnley today.
He will have a transfer budget of around £60million plus proceeds from player sales.
Howe said: “Joe is a good guy and he is positive and optimistic. And I think we should be.
“I have no issue with that and I want my squad to be confident and ambitious.
“They have to believe in big things and we have to set targets internally.
“I would rather these things stay internal than external because we have to also manage expectations.
“We don’t want to play under an unnecessary burden or unnecessary pressure that hampers our performance.”
Howe will continue to build a culture based on strong team spirit and good characters, with no signings being made unless personalities show the right attitude.
Signing a striker is a priority with Ivan Toney, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (right) and Darwin Nunez topping their list.
Asked what progress would be next season, Howe said: “I’d love to do well in the cup competitions.
“We will take them seriously next year.
“Improvement is key. We took over a team that was in a really difficult position, January was important and we’ve improved the squad.
“We need to improve the squad again, we can’t stand still.
“But we’re competing in a league that is so difficult, we have no divine right to finish above anybody.”