Speaking in this morning’s press conference, Eddie Howe has admitted that it’s been ‘frustrating’ and ‘fruitless’ week on the transfer front, with him expecting no news signings to arrive in time for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds.
The NUFC boss insists that the club have been working ‘tirelessly’ to make deals happen, but explains how a number of factors – our position in the table, Covid and the expectation for us to pay over the odds now we have huge money – have made it a hugely difficult time to do business.
After stating that’s it’s been a ‘very difficult window’ so far, it was also quite telling that Howe said he ‘doesn’t anticipate that changing’, suggesting we have a battle on our hands to sign the likes of Diego Carlos and Jesse Lingard over the next 10 days.
That said, he insists that the club will continue to push for new signings until the very last day of the window, hinting at a flurry of late activity – something that is so often the case in January.
Howe also revealed the type of player he wants the club to bring in this month, stating that ‘leadership’ is a huge trait he is looking to add to the group alongside ‘positivity’ and a winning mentality; which seems telling given the way we’ve crumbled after taking the lead at times this season. He did warn against late panic buys, however, saying we mustn’t get ‘desperate’ as time ticks on.
Last but not least, Howe also confirmed that the club will travel to Saudi Arabia for a mid-season training camp later this month, insisting it’s a ‘football decision’ that will benefit the players.
Here’s what he’s had to say on all of the above this morning:
Eddie Howe when asked if anyone will sign in time for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds:
“I don’t think so.
“It’s been a slightly frustrating week for us.
“We are against a deadline and are desperately trying to improve squad.
“But it’s been a fruitless search this week.
“It’s been a very difficult window. I don’t anticipate that changing.”
“Usually, late in the window, you’ll probably get a flurry of things done late in the day.
“You never quite know from year to year how that’s going to unfold this year but, certainly, we’ll be trying to add to the squad right ’till the last day.”
Eddie Howe on the battles NUFC are facing in the January transfer window:
Eddie Howe on the type of player he wants NUFC to sign this month:
“Positivity, leadership, winning mentality – you have to try and bring those types of characters into the group.
“If you’re bringing the opposite to that, the dynamics of the group can change in a negative way.
“They have to be the right new players.”
“I just want to reiterate that we have to bring the right players in.
“Bringing players in out of desperation or in a panic is not the route we need to go down.”
Eddie Howe when asked if the club will be going to Saudi Arabia this month:
“That is the plan.
“It could be a really beneficial thing to do from the squad’s perspective, to try to bring unity and team spirit.
“Anything we can do to bring the group together I think is a good idea.”
“It’s a football decision, we will train very hard.”
“I think it’s worthwhile.
“The facilities will be first-class and we’ll be well looked after.”
