Eddie Howe sat down with the media this morning ahead of Sunday's trip to Bournemouth for Newcastle United's Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium.
As is tradition, Eddie Howe held his Friday morning lie fest in front of the media this morning as the Newcastle gaffer dodged questions about player comings and goings with the odd question about Sunday's game thrown in sporadically.
Naturally, after the news yesterday that Kieran Trippier wants to leave Newcastle before the transfer window closes, that was the main topic of discussion this morning.
The rumour is that Trippier wants away with Everton looking to bag a loan move for the England star.
The messaging from Eddie Howe was that he knows nothing about Trippier being unhappy as relayed by The Chronicle.
"The situation is business as usual. Tripps has trained really well this week. I'm surprised by a lot of the stories that have come out. A valuable member of the squad. His professionalism has been first class. He's trained really well since he came back from the Euros...he continues to be really valued by all of us. He's just trained as normal and he's been very good. I'm not really sure where this has come from. He's preparing as we all are for the game on Sunday.
"His leadership skills, his ability with the ball, his assist record, everything he brings to the group we definitely want here.
"He's played a huge role in changing the narrative around the team. When he first came in we were in a very difficult position and it's easy to forget that. He took a big risk to leave a huge football club and was having a successful period with them to come to a team battling relegation. Our relationship with him was pivotal and he galvanised the squad from the first day. His performances on the pitch also spoke volumes."
We all know by now to take what Eddie says on a Friday morning with a huge pinch of salt on your bacon and eggs, so there's still every chance Trippier could move on before next Friday's deadline.
However, we do believe that Eddie Howe would prefer to keep Trippier at the club as we know how he has a hard time letting go. Although, in fairness, what Howe said about Tripps changing the narrative at the club stands true and whatever happens in the next week that will never be forgotten.
We still think Tripps will be away before next week and Howe was just trying to avoid the subject, but we'll see.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
14 | 18 | 35 |
2 |
Chelsea
|
15 | 17 | 31 |
3 |
Arsenal
|
15 | 14 | 29 |
4 |
Manchester City
|
15 | 6 | 27 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
|
15 | 1 | 25 |
6 |
Aston Villa
|
15 | 0 | 25 |
7 |
Brighton
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
8 |
Bournemouth
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
9 |
Brentford
|
15 | 3 | 23 |
10 |
Fulham
|
15 | 2 | 23 |
11 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
15 | 12 | 20 |
12 |
Newcastle United
|
15 | -2 | 20 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
15 | 1 | 19 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
15 | -8 | 18 |
15 |
Everton
|
14 | -7 | 14 |
16 |
Leicester
|
15 | -9 | 14 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
|
15 | -6 | 13 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
15 | -13 | 9 |
19 |
Wolves
|
15 | -15 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
|
15 | -20 | 5 |