'Fingers crossed': Eddie Howe's attitude to the remainder of the transfer window isn't filling us with hope
Newcastle United's transfer window has been an unmitigated disaster, with just one new player through the door so far, as the new season rapidly closes in.
Eddie Howe spoke about wanting at least two players in before the squad returned to training. He got one, and that was a close call with Anthony Elanga completing his move just a couple of days before he was due to return to training.
Now, as Alexander Isak has one foot out of the door and nobody to replace him, things are getting increasingly desperate for the Toon, and fans are starting to panic.
Newcastle already could have done with two strikers through the door before the whole Isak thing hit fever pitch, but now it's a necessity. Even if Isak can be convinced to stay, we'd be better off bringing in another top striker in case Isak's head has gone and his performances suffer. None of this mentions the lack of a central defender that the club has needed for two seasons.
Eddie Howe insists Newcastle will not be held to ransom over players in the transfer market
The squad, minus Alexander Isak, is out in South Korea as they continue their pre-season tour, and as they get ready to take on Team K-League tomorrow, Eddie Howe has spoken to the press (via NUFC's official site), where he was asked about the state of play with 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."
'Fingers crossed' isn't the strategy we were hoping for
It may just be us in our increasingly bitter frame of mind, but 'fingers crossed' isn't what we want to be hearing from our gaffer right now. We want to hear about some decisive actions.
We get that we don't want to be held to ransom, but at the same time, we absolutely can not go into this season with the squad we have and no more additions. Something has to give. We are desperate and other teams can see it. We don't have the power here.
That being said, we do expect that the club will come through with a few signings before the window slams shut, and of course, there's always January. But will that be too late? New signings usually need time to bed in, so the sooner they arrive, the better. However, look at what Howe did in his first transfer window. That was a January window, and he completely changed the fortunes of the side, but again, it took a few weeks for those changes to take root.
All this is to say ... PULL YOUR COLLECTIVE CHUFFING FINGERS OUT!
