'I don't think': Eddie Howe delivers blunt transfer window admission that Newcastle United fans will hate
After watching Newcastle United take 85 minutes to register a single shot on target against the Premier League's worst side on Sunday, huge questions are being asked about the Magpies' attack.
Eddie Howe and Newcastle United spent £124 million to replace Alexander Isak in the summer, bringing in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Wissa was seen as an almost like-for-like replacement for Isak in that they have similar play styles, but Woltemade would give us something very different. Wissa picking up an injury before he made his Newcastle debut certainly created a big problem for Eddie Howe, who had to throw Nick Woltemade in at the deep end.
Initially, we thought we'd have no issues as the German seemed to adapt really quickly to life in the Premier League, but things have gone very quiet since. While Woltemade does offer us something different to what we're used to, that's no good if we don't adapt how we play to suit him.
Eddie Howe isn't confident Newcastle's attacking woes will be fixed this month
Against Wolves on Sunday, both strikers had their time to shine and neither got anywhere close to having an impact, leaving Newcastle fans questioning if the Magpies could delve into the transfer market to find someone to come in and add some much-needed creativity to proceedings.
Eddie Howe was asked this in his post-match press conference (via The Chronicle), but the answer isn't what we were wanting to hear.
"I don't think we have the financial ability to do that."
We hate dry January!
Howe was quizzed on the issue of not having enough attacking threat away from home, something which is undeniable, and the gaffer admitted as much.
"I don’t think our attacking output was good enough and there have been similar away games, so if people want to accuse us of that then that is totally fair, but we have to find a way to score more goals on the road. I was happy with the attitude, endeavour and the effort but the overall quality was missing. In games like that you are looking for an individual moment of brilliance.”
It might just be the negativity hangover from yesterday, but it's starting to feel like it's going to be another dry January for Newcastle in the transfer market.
