Evolution must be ‘very controlled’, says Howe
NEWCASTLE United will again target ‘brilliant’ signings this summer - but Eddie Howe has reiterated the Magpies must evolve in a ‘very controlled’ manner, writes CIARAN KELLY.
Howe made it clear from the first day he took charge last November that the most important players at the club were those individuals already at his disposal because they would have the biggest say on his side’s fate.
Howe had these players very much in mind when Newcastle’s transfer committee started planning for their first window together last January.
Indeed, as much as Howe wanted to strengthen the squad with quality additions in the midseason window, the Newcastle boss was acutely aware of the need to bring in the right characters, too, so the team-first mentality in the dressing room was not disrupted.
Perhaps, tellingly, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Matt Targett have all bought into that spirit and a tight-knit group has become even closer.
Unlike in January, players will leave on a permanent basis in the coming months but the message from the club has been it will be a summer of evolution rather than revolution after £93m was spent in January.
Howe would ideally like to bring in more Premier League experience but the Newcastle boss also has his eye on the future as he looks to freshen up the squad.
He said: “We have to evolve and change but I think in a very controlled way.
“January was really important for us.
“We signed some brilliant players and brilliant people and they made a difference to the changing room. The summer will be no different.
“If you make too many changes you change the dynamic and that can be a negative.
“We have a very good team spirit, a really good togetherness, which we don’t want to lose.
“However, we know we have to improve in the areas we can so that’s what we will try to do.”