💬 “I’m sure it’s been frustrating for you guys because it’s a big part of what you do. But I’ve slammed the door shut at every opportunity.”
That was Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe today, when asked whether he was relieved not to have been busy as far as incomings are concerned throughout January.
News flash (that isn’t a news flash): Newcastle have not been active and are highly unlikely to be active when it comes to bringing in new players before Monday night’s deadline.
It has been the message since late November and it has not changed now, even following Miguel Almiron’s departure to Atlanta United.
Mercifully, Howe does not envisage his squad being further weakened. William Osula, Martin Dubravka, Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly are all set to stay — although there is still time for that to change.
With that done, other questions followed. When it comes to ‘subjects you do not expect Howe to be asked about’, “industrial espionage” and spying using drones would have been high up the list.
💬 “I don’t give it a second thought to be honest.”
That was a typically anodyne Howeism in response. But his face almost belied a smirk as he did so. Whether he welcomed the diversion or not, it definitely altered the dynamic of the press conference.
