'It's too early': Eddie Howe is still backing his summer transfers to come good at Newcastle United and insists it's too soon to judge
Newcastle United spent around £250 million in the summer to improve their squad ahead of a season in the Champions League.
After signing Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey, Yoane Wissa, Nick Woltemade and bringing in Aaron Ramsdale on loan, we thought we'd had a very good window and every addition was an upgrade on what we had.
Obviously, replacing Alexander Isak was going to be impossible, but we liked the direction the club took at the time. Not replacing with like-for-like but going with something different.
Unfortunately, due to the hectic schedule and the fact that our strikers came in during the final days of the window, there has been a lack of time on the training pitch to formulate a new style of play to better accommodate our forwards, and the results have been ... well ... crap, generally speaking.
Eddie Howe insists it's too soon to judge his summer signings
Malick Thiaw is the only one of the summer signings whom we'd label a success at this stage of the season, with Anthony Elanga being by far the biggest disappointment. However, Eddie Howe told reporters on Friday morning that it's too soon to judge whether they were bad signings.
“I always say with transfer windows, I think it’s a better reflection in time. Even short-term, players can do well, but it’s time that will be the judge.
“I don’t know the exact time on that, on when that becomes a fully justifiable analysis, but for me, it’s too early to make strong conclusions from that transfer window. At this moment in time, I’d probably say let’s see where we are at the end of the season, and then even six months into next season too - I think you’ll have a clearer idea.”
Patience is key - but it's a big ask
He does have a point to be fair. Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall took a long time to settle into the way Howe operates, and now Lewis Hall is our best player, while Gordon held that crown for a time before his ego started writing cheques his hair can't cash.
The time it took to get signings over the line and the lack of time on the training pitch have both been massive detriments to allowing these players to settle.
Arguably, the one who should have walked right into the starting lineup with no problems should have been Elanga, as he was first through the door in the summer and had a full pre-season. His struggles this season have been baffling. Fingers crossed that his superb goal against Man City in midweek unlocks the door for his form to break out.
