Newcastle: Howe Acknowledges Offensive Shift After Isak’s Departure

Howe Acknowledges Newcastle’s Adaptation After Isak’s Departure

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted that his team will display a different attacking style this season following the departure of Alexander Isak. These statements arise after the goalless draw against Bournemouth, which marked the third consecutive away game in which Newcastle fails to score.

“It’s our third 0-0 away from home, which is really unusual given our attacking style. Naturally, we’ll be a different team in offensive terms this year without Alex,” Howe commented.

Eddie Howe

Following Isak’s transfer to Liverpool, Newcastle has brought in Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. Wissa will miss the next month due to injury, while Woltemade led the attack in the match against Bournemouth.

“I think Nick played very well today. He was very effective with his footwork and his connection. We need to get used to him and his style, and have more players running around him, as he is very good in that aspect. I hope we are evolving into a different team, hopefully better, but it may take some time,” added the coach.

Eddie Howe

On the positive side, Newcastle has kept a clean sheet in four of the five matches this season. Bournemouth, for its part, managed only two shots on goal, compared to one from the visitors.

Andoni Iraola’s team had a goal disallowed for offside after a shot by David Brooks. Newcastle’s best chance came after a play involving Woltemade and Sandro Tonali, which culminated in a shot by Jacob Murphy that Djordje Petrovic deflected.

“We respect each other a lot,” said Iraola. “It was very different from the last matches between Bournemouth and Newcastle. If there was a team closer to scoring, I think it was Bournemouth. In some matches we have been more brilliant and have made more of a difference, but we have been competitive in every match. Even the match we lost against Liverpool, we were there until the last minute. Today was a different match, very close.” Iraola argued that Newcastle defender Malick Thiaw should have been sent off after a foul on Ryan Christie, as he already had a yellow card. “Newcastle’s bench decided to take him off, it’s a clear second yellow,” said the Spanish coach. “I don’t know if it would have made a difference because there wasn’t much time left.”