‘Much loved’ players will be leaving, says Howe
EDDIE Howe says there will be some much ‘loved’ Newcastle United players heading for the exit door this summer.
The Magpies lost 5-0 to Manchester City and they could not live with arguably the best team in the world for 90 minutes.
Howe hinted earlier this month he would not make ‘wholesale’ changes to his squad but he does accept some stars will be going when the transfer window opens on June 9. He said: “I think every summer I have been in management I have had to make difficult decisions at the end of the season.
“Players you love and have a great relationship with sometimes have to leave for the benefit of the team.
“This season will be no different. I am sure there will be players who will move on, who have represented the club in a brilliant way.
“Those decisions can wait until the end of the season. For me now, it is about making judgements and assessments on everybody I am working with.
“The training ground is a hugely important place for me, so I am making judgements there and then of course on days like today I am making judgements on players’ futures, based on what I see. I think that is natural.”
EDDIE Howe says Newcastle United must box clever in the summer transfer window with just a month to go before the trading period reopens for business.
Howe and his backroom team must prepare for the next stage of development under Newcastle’s new ownership - but the head coach is looking forward to the next challenge.
Of course, Howe is eager to get results in the last two Premier League matches but is excited about the forthcoming window.
Howe said: “If we can be smart with what we do in the summer and keep the spirit we have in the squad, the future is very bright for the club.
“The aim when we came in was to stay in the Premier League at all costs.
“I don’t think we are looking at being title contenders at this stage.
“We are looking for progression and we will have to grow into that expectation.”
With training set to get under way for Monday’s clash with Arsenal, Howe is eager to finish on a high.
Looking back on the defeat to Manchester City, he said: “We made individual mistakes and were punished for them. We have to find a way in these games to be competitive and get results.”