Eddie Howe mentioned his players “tough” and “resilient” for maintaining their focus in the midst of the transferaaga of Alexander Isak, who is sharp in the focus when his lover Liverpool go to St James' park for Monday evening football.
In dramatic exchanges on Tuesday evening, the striker newcastle accused of broken promises and said that his relationship with the club could not continue – before the magpies were back by refuting the suggestion of Isak, he was told that he could leave this summer and insisted that they “do not foresee the player” because their conditions are not met.
Liverpool did not arrive at complying with those criteria when their £ 110 million bid was rejected for Isak in early August, while Isak – who asked for his options to explore in July – trained away from his teammates, who pulled 0-0 in Aston Villa during the opening weekend.
The next game from Newcastle will strengthen Isak's attention, but Howe made a point of prizes of the rest of his team when he sat down with Sky Sports.
“The players have been beautiful so far,” said Howe. “It has been very difficult for them all the way through the season and it would have been very easy for the group to get distracted or perhaps apologize to versions.
“But they are not built that way. They have a heavy, resilient side of them, very professional. They have been business as usual. We have to play well, train well and get results. Their only focus has been.”
Howe says that it can put external noise, discussions and debates on the one hand, being essential for him and his team if they are a positive start to this Premier League season.
“You have to be able to park many different things that happen outside,” said Howe. “Noise, feelings … We are going to try to implement our plan to the best we are capable of.
“My mentality has always been to take myself out and only hear what I have to hear, which is hopefully a real minimum, to enable myself to control what I can control and live with my emotions.”
Howe's Ekitike admiration – and the threat of elanga
In addition to their ISAK-Achtervolging, Liverpool will also have a reminder of the near-accident of Newcastle on the transfer market when they arrive in the northeast on Monday. Hugo Ekitike was sought by Newcastle, but scored instead on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth.
Newcastle supporters will hope that their former transfer target will not show them what they are missing – but Howe remains respectful for the talents of the attacker.
“He is a player I admire,” said Howe. “He played very well against Bournemouth, took his goal very well. Really good all -round game. I think he is good in the air, he is technically very good, he has a good movement. I think he will do really well in the Premier League. He has made a good start. He is one we have to play against it.”
However, Newcastle has a new attacking threat of their own attacking threat in Anthony Elanga. The signing of the summer from Nottingham Forest almost made a flying start in Villa Park, but missed an early chance. Nevertheless, his first outing for Newcastle Howe encouraged.
“He has those raw ingredients that scare every defender,” said the head coach. “His pace, top-end pace, it can be very difficult to play against. He has an intelligence and a product for his game that we really like. A real enthusiasm for the game, likes to play, likes to train. He is also a real team player. Many qualities that will really serve us well.”
It will be intriguing to find out which of those three attackers will be the big conversation point, the last whistle on Monday.