'He's not' - Fresh Alexander Isak 'concern' after Newcastle United's defeat vs Fulham
Eddie Howe admits he is concerned by Alexander Isak’s quiet start to the new Premier League season as he searches for ways to get his striker more involved.
Isak shrugged off a toe injury, which forced him to withdraw at half-time at Wolverhampton Wanderers last Sunday, to lead the line against Fulham yesterday afternoon.
However, the Sweden star was unable to prevent a 3-1 defeat in West London. The Magpies trailed 2-0 in the first-half via goals from Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe before substitute Reiss Nelson put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time after Harvey Barnes pulled one back.
Howe made two changes at the break, introducing Jacob Murphy and Lewis Hall for Joe Willock and Lloyd Kelly, while he also switched formation in a bid to get Isak into the game. But such move didn’t have the desired effect.
Last season, Isak became the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer to reach 20-plus goals in a single campaign, however he has managed just one so far this term - a tap in the 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur before the September international break.
During Nations League matches against Azerbaijan and Estonia, the 25-year-old netted three goals but has since drawn a blank at club level. Howe knows a solution must be found.
“He was fully fit, he was happy to play,” said Howe. “He trained yesterday and there were no issues.
“He’s not as involved as we want him to be, he’s not having the impact in the games we want him to have and what he is capable of doing so hence the tactical reshuffle at half-time. We tried to get players nearer to him. It’s one for me to think about.”