Howe responds to Alexander Isak chants and calls for resolution after Aston Villa draw
Ask any Newcastle United fan following Saturday’s game against Aston Villa what their thoughts on the game were, and almost everyone will have the same answer.
We needed a natural striker on the pitch, and yet the contracted striker at the club has gone AWOL at the very beginning of the biggest season in recent memory.
Mood has sharply turned in the fanbase towards Alexander Isak in the last few days, and the away end at Villa Park certainly let their feeling be known after the final whistle, aiming furious chants towards the want-away Swede.
And in his post-match comments, Eddie Howe has addressed the fans vocal concerns surrounding Isak, and issued his own mini update as the club adjusts to his ongoing absence.
Howe addresses Isak “greedy” chants
Throughout this entire Isak saga, Howe has received widespread praise for how he’s handled the situation. Where some managers could so easily throw the player under the bus, Howe still exudes professionalism in every word he speaks.
And when asked about the post-match chants from the crowd today - "one greedy b******" - Howe accepted that fans are free to voice their opinion after spending 90 minutes supporting the team:
“Whatever happens (with Isak) our supporters acted really well today because they supported the team when we were playing.”“They’ve always done that unbelievably well. If they want to say something afterwards, they are free to do that.”
The latest update on the Isak situation
His absence at Villa Park means that Isak is set to officially be fined for missing a competitive fixture: his first fine during this entire saga.
The general expectation is that if Isak is still a Newcastle player after the transfer window shuts, he will be expected to return to the squad and slowly integrated back into the team.
And there’s cautious optimism within the club that Isak will eventually see the error of his ways and that fences can be mended, something Howe looks to be keen on seeing.
"We would like a resolution. When I say ‘We’, I’m talking about myself, the ownership, the players, everyone really, because I think we need that clarity this season.
“Nothing’s changed, the door is well and truly open. But Alex has to decide what he wants to do.
“Alex is in control of what he does. I’m not in control of him.”
On how the Isak situation has affected the squad
Having no striker today produced a very frustrating performance from the lads today, who will no doubt feel that they deserved all three points after a particularly dominant first half.
At a ground where we notoriously struggle, you could argue that Isak’s selfishness has cost us two points here.
And Howe seems to echo the thoughts of the entire squad when he seems to want the whole ordeal to be over and done with, and the team can either have their main man back, or find someone else who is willing to be here.
“I hope the Isak story it’s resolved quickly, because it’s news around us all the time”.“Players have managed to shut that out and perform. We have to continue to do that. We have to cope without the narrative against us”.
