Eddie Howe breaks silence on his meeting with Newcastle United's PIF owners & issues Anthony Gordon update
Eddie Howe faces the media ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Eddie Howe faced the media to preview Newcastle United’s Premier League clash at home to Brighton & Hove Albion - but the game itself was very much an afterthought.
It’s been a busy last 48 hours off the field, with chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and a PIF delegation arriving on Tyneside for their annual board meeting at Matfen Hall. As well as the likes of CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson, Howe has also been present in the meetings, and the head coach quizzed on what was said.
The Magpies head into the game against Brighton in a dismal run of form - losing five in a row and nine of their last 12 Premier League matches. With four matches to go, Howe’s side are 14th in the table, just as close to the relegation zone as they are to sixth placed Brighton.
Howe will have Joelinton available following his two-match ban, while Anthony Gordon could return from a hip flexor injury.
Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon
“Yeah, he did a session on Wednesday, part of the session on Wednesday. And yeah, great to see him back on the pitch. He's obviously a player of huge quality and one that we've missed.
“We'll make an assessment on his fitness closer to the game. We'll see how he gets through today.”
Eddie Howe on PIF meeting
“It was an opportunity to see a lot of the people I haven't seen in a while. Obviously, the owners and representatives of PIF were over and it was constructive, good meetings. Obviously, I was a small part of that.
“But yeah, always constructive because I think they clearly care so much about the football club, the long-term planning that's clearly going on on a number of levels.
“Very exciting times, as I said, ahead, I think, for the club, regardless of what happens short-term. So, the long-term vision is clearly there.”
Eddie Howe on his future
Do you still feel supported? “Yeah, I mean, no change in terms of the support and the infrastructure and how people are working. So, yeah, I was pleased by the level of support given to me.
“But of course, still understanding of how football works and know that we need to get results. So, that will never change.”
“I have to retain that confidence, I don't think that serves anybody not to have that long-term vision. It's interesting how you do the job because you do the job day-to-day and you're looking very much day-to-day, how can we today, how can we prepare as well as we can for Brighton with one eye on obviously next week and then one eye on in the summer and one eye on next season.
“So that's always how I've managed. You're looking after the long-term interests while taking care of the very short-term aims that you need and that will never change.
“And again, regardless of results, I think you have to have that for the benefit of the football club. You've always got to think of the football club first. Now, I will say we need to win games.”