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3 months ago
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The Eddie Howe Southampton Press Conference has taken place.
The Newcastle United Head Coach speaking to the media ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe and the players hoping to start the season in perfect fashion.
In reality, playing a promoted team at St James’ Park in the first game, you couldn’t have asked for a better chance really.
Now they just have to do it on the pitch.
Eddie Howe speaking at his Southampton press conference on Friday morning:
“There is always a great feeling before the start of the season.
“We’ve had a good pre-season, we are in good shape. The lads have worked really well.
It’s been an intense period, as it always is.
“Your preference is always the first game to be at home, we know the supporters will be with us, we know how important they will be to us. We have to do our bit.”
Eddie Howe on hopes for the new campaign:
“We have evolved the squad, that is not always necessarily in terms of personnel.
“We’re trying to do that all the time.
“We’re trying to add layers to our game. We’re trying to improve.
I think we have done that in pre-season.
“Obviously, the proof will be in what we deliver going into the season.
“I think the players we have here and the squad we have is in a good place and ready to play.”
Eddie Howe on the challenge posed by Southampton:
“Russell Martin has done a great job, I always admired his style of play from Swansea to Southampton.
“He is very clever tactically and astute. All those things add to a very complex game for us.
“They are slightly different and we need to be ready for that challenge.
“We have to deliver a really strong performance.”
Eddie Howe asked if Alexander Isak can be the Premier League’s top scorer this season:
“He has got the talent and ability to be, but he’s going to be competing against all the elite strikers in the league.
“It is our job to supply him, to give him as many chances as possible.
“There is an expectation on him to do some of the stuff that won’t get talked about here, leading the line and starting our out of possession game plan and delivering that to the highest level.
“We do need him to contribute, of course, with his goals, his assists and his creative play.”
Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali:
“He has handled himself really well in this period, I am sure he has had some hard days.
“He has trained really well and has been a great teammate. I know how focused and excited he is for his return.
“Again, another huge thing for me to say is thank you to the Newcastle United fans. The way they’ve looked after him and for how they’ve dealt with him socially.
“I think it’s been an incredible response and that will only help him when he returns.”
(Eddie Howe also gave an official Newcastle United injury/availability update which you can read HERE)

 
