Eddie Howe could take ‘unified’ Newcastle top despite sporting director tension but says they can’t compete with top two
EDDIE HOWE could take Newcastle top of the Premier League tomorrow – despite continued speculation over his relationship with Paul Mitchell.
The Magpies travel to Fulham looking to extend their unbeaten start and know that three points will leave them sitting at the summit for at least 24 hours.
It is only the sixth time Newcastle have managed to go through their first four Premier League matches unbeaten and it’s their best opening for 29 years since Kevin Keegan was at the helm.
However, even though he has been delighted with his players so far, he admits that Toon will not be able to mount a title challenge to either Manchester City and Arsenal, who collide at the Etihad tomorrow.
Howe said: “I don’t see how we can compare ourselves to them currently, but the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap every day, every week.
“That is what we are working towards. That has to be our aim, our longer term aim and short term aim and that is what I am trying to work towards.”
Despite the positivity of the results on the pitch, Howe has had to continually answer questions over his relationship with new sporting director Mitchell.
Last week he revealed that they had not spoken since the chief criticised the club’s recruitment and transfer policy before his arrival this summer.
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When asked if they had talked yet, Howe replied: “I’m not going go into every week in terms of our contact but collaboration, as I said last week, is what we’re looking to do to take the club forward.”
When pressed again, he said: “I think I’ve just answered that one. I’m not going to go there.”
But he then continued: “Just so people know, I’ve had conversations with senior members of the board this week.
“So I’m in regular communication with them, trying to collaborate and work together for the benefit of the club.
“That’s always in my heart and that will always be while I’m manager of the club.”
Meanwhile, Howe did admit that sorting out new deals for striker Alexander Isak, a doubt for Saturday with a toe issue, and Anthony Gordon was a top priority for Mitchell.
The Swedish striker remains under contract until 2028 but is looking for a pay rise amid increasing interest while the England winger has entered the final two years of his agreement.
He said: “I think having your players secure in their futures is key to their performances.
“You don’t want the transfer speculation or the contracts potentially running into shorter terms because I think that it distracts and rarely benefits the player or the club.
“So, my wish is that players are always focussed on their performances and that the outside distraction is minimal.
“Our best way to do that is to get them secure and happy but of course there is a balance because with wage structures and PSR we can’t be reckless with what we do either.
“So we have to get those calls right but, of course, getting those players to play at their best levels will have a dramatic effect on our season.
“I think that if there are issues with either player, or any player, then of course communication and resolving any issues is really important.”
Howe also moved to stop any fan fears over his unhappiness by insisting that the club is unified despite talk of potential tensions upstairs.
He said: “I think the club is unified. I don’t see any issues.
“It depends where you’re talking about that unification, but the unification between me, the players, the supporters and the board is really strong.
“I’m really happy, as I’ve said many, many times. I’m enjoying the work with the players.
“I love the group that we have, I really do enjoy coming into work to plan training and to execute training with them.
“I think we are on a journey together. I hope that journey can stay.”
And he also maintained that the most important thing at any football club is the players as he looks to get them playing consistently at a high standard.
Howe added: “I’m always the first one to say that the players are the most important people. For me, my direct work is always about the players and trying to get them in the best frame of mind to win matches.
“The tighter the group, the more we come together, the better for everybody. I include the supporters in that, because they can directly affect the players on the pitch.
“So creating the best environment, the whole club united on that front, is basically all we need to get results.
“Now the other stuff is hugely important, boardroom level and behind the scenes. But that’s more for the transfer windows and those kind of things. At the moment, we can’t affect that.
“So let’s come together, and I think the players really have. We’ve got a really good team spirit, a tight group. Now, it’s about getting us to consistently play well.”