Eddie Howe is refusing to be drawn in by the amount of names being linked with January moves to Newcastle United.
The Times reported last night that Inter Milan duo Stefan de Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic have been lined up, along with Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, while reports in France linked us with moves for Lille’s Jonathan David, Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.
However, Howe insists it’s a ‘waste of energy’ and ‘waste of time’ to look too far into the future when his immediate concern is winning games between now and January.
He admits that he will always have one eye on what’s on the horizon, accepting things need to be put in place when it comes to January signings, improving the club’s infrastructure, working with young players and building the Academy, but won’t let that distract him from the string of vital games to come over the next six weeks:
Here’s what he told The Chronicle when asked about all the transfer talk on Tyneside:
“I have been in football long enough to know that looking too far ahead is a waste of energy, a waste of time.”
“My only focus is on the short-term.”
“I have always had a style of management that while I look very short-term I always have an eye on the horizon for what is in the best interests of the football club.”
“So certain planning needs to take place for transfer windows and putting things in place, improving infrastructure.”
“Improving the Academy and working with young players.”
“So there is a long-term view to what we do.”
“But I know in this job currently, I would be foolish to take my eye of what is immediately in front of me.”
Wise words from Howe, who clearly has no interest in the amount of transfer gossip when there is so much work to be done between now and January.
After all, we won’t be in a position to bring quality players to the club – no matter how much money we have – if we’re cut adrift at the bottom come the new year.
It seems the media will link us with every player in the world, if toon fans believe all this **** then we are gonna win every trophy in the world, wot a load of bollocks.transfer window is not even open. We have to get rid of players first. Eddie Howes main concern is getting us away from relegation . Our defence has been poor for years,our midfield has been poor as well.I would start from the back. Because lachelles has been **** for ages, our right /left backs or **** as well. He has a long and hard job a head of him,he will make mistakes. I was never a lover of Bruce but his hands were tied and I did feel sorry for him, but then he buys Hendricks,Fraser very poor players. Even if we go down it’s not the end of the world you will see the average players leave like rats off a sinking ship. As toon fans we only ever wanted our team to try their best instead of being walked over,which many of them have done.Shelvey for me is passed it he never tracks back and his defensive duties are non existent. Maxi needs to learn to pass the ball instead of taking the whole team on. At times times infuriating his team mates.
KMH(Quote)