More quotes have emerged from Eddie Howe’s press conference in South Korea this morning, where the boss has discussed Alexander Isak, Aaron Ramsdale and several other topics.
Along with a transfer update, the boss also discussed his early thoughts on new recruit Seung-soo Park and issued a mixed update on Sven Botman’s groin issue.
Tackling our frustrating wait for new signings, Howe insisted that we won’t change or strategy or “act out of character” in our pursuit of transfers, insisting we must bring in the “right player at the right price” to do a deal.
While panic buys should be avoided, this message on our current approach has raised concerns given we are four to five signings short just two and a half weeks away from the season kicking off…
Howe on transfers: “It’s going to be an important time for us. There’s lots to take in. We have to bring in the right players at the right prices.”
“I don’t think we should, in any way, act out of character for how we’ve always tried to work in the windows and try to do what’s best for the football club in a strategic way. That can’t change.
“So if the right player isn’t out there for the right price, then we can’t do the deals. Everything’s got to fall in line.
“Obviously, we’re looking to improve the squad, we’re looking to try and add depth and quality to the areas that we’ve identified. Fingers crossed we can get some deals done.”
On Seung-soo, Howe admitted it’s “slightly unclear” what we do next with the 18-year-old winger; whether that’s loaning him out, keeping him with the first team group or allowing him to join our Under-21 side.
However, it looks like we’ll see our first glimpse of him in action tomorrow…
Howe on Park Seung-soo: “I think it’s slightly unclear what’s going to happen short term with him – we’re going to have to make an assessment on where we see him fitting in the best currently.
“We’ve had only a very short term impression, one or two training sessions. It’s been very positive so far – he seems like a very good person, fundamentally, and it’s all new experiences for him but I sure he’ll do very, very well. We’re very keen to look at this is a future market for us, signing a similar profile of player, so this is hopefully the start.
“I’ll do everything I can to try to get him on the pitch (on Wednesday) because I think that’ll be important for him and of course everyone that wants to see him play. I’ll certainly do my best. We’ve got lots of information we’ll be giving him but I think it’ll just be a case of go out and play his normal game and that will be good enough.”
Then to Sven Botman, where Howe’s update offers both good and bad news in our eyes.
The Dutchman’s groin issue isn’t serious, not he won’t play tomorrow and could even sit out of Sunday’s clash with Spurs.
Howe on Sven Botman: “We didn’t think it was a serious injury at the time, which has been confirmed in the scan.
“He definitely won’t play tomorrow but whether he plays a part in the Tottenham game, let’s wait and see. Possibly not, but then we hope he can be available for the double-header leading into the first game.”
Hmm, what shall we do with the cynical signing that we signed solely to draw some extra fans in Korea? Maybe the Koreans aren’t thick as pigshit and see right through this commercial farce. Wish my club did not involve themselves in **** like this.
A(Quote)
Botman now seems unlucky with injuries, which would mean we were unlucky to sign him; it is a long time now since he was up to full strength, unfortunately for all concerned.
davewallace(Quote)
It’s a matter of opinion what the right player is at the right price, and if you aren’t prepared to adapt to the what the right price is you could end up with nothing, which appears to be the route we are taking.
If our squad was strong I could possibly understand that ideological way of thinking but it isn’t and shows weakness.
The Newcastle “tax” is beginning to sound like Rachel Reeves the “black hole”!
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph,
It isn’t an NUFC tax, it’s total NUFC incompetence. Chelsea, Man City, Man U and Liverpool have all managed to pay the correct amount for players we offered too little for. They could be ours if we had offered what they offered (more or less true) – there are other reasons, but none of them are an NUFC tax.
It would help to clear everybody’s thinking if they got out of the hapless victim mentality of the NUFC tax fantasy.
Delap would not want to come to be number 2 to Isak (as it was at the time) so that is not an NUFC tax. We could have signed all the others if we paid the going rate.
If you don’t pay the going rate, this is not an NUFC tax.
There is no NUFC tax.
davewallace(Quote)
Dave Wallace:-
I was refering to the Newcastle “tax” in inverted comas as being akin to the supposed black hole Rachel Reeves thinks she found.
I agree there is a going rate and that is going to be higher for some than others, that is just the market as it stands.
Joseph(Quote)