Eddie Howe has acknowledged that Newcastle United is undergoing a period of evolution following the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool. The manager believes that the team will naturally adopt a different attacking style in the absence of Isak, who completed a £125 million switch.
Howe's comments came after Newcastle's 0-0 draw against Bournemouth, a game in which they only managed one shot on target and an expected goals (xG) rating of 0.14. This marked the third time in five games that the Magpies have failed to score, a concerning statistic that places them among the lowest-scoring teams in the league.
In response to Isak's departure, Newcastle swiftly brought in Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. However, Wissa is expected to be out injured for a month. Woltemade led the line against Bournemouth. Howe praised Woltemade's performance, highlighting his effective footwork and link play. He also noted that the team needs time to adapt to Woltemade's style and make runs off him.
Despite the attacking challenges, Howe remains optimistic. He is confident that the goals will come as the team adjusts to its new-look forward line. Howe stressed that Newcastle are determined to find different ways to score and attack, and he believes that the team possesses the players to do so.
Newcastle's defensive record has been a positive aspect of their recent performances. They have achieved four clean sheets in five games this season. In the match against Bournemouth, the hosts were limited to just two shots on target.
Howe made seven changes to the team that played against Barcelona in the Champions League. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the squad's depth and protecting players. He viewed the changes as evidence of the squad's strength and a sign of good performance, even if it didn't result in a win. Malick Thiaw, for example, made his full debut in place of Fabian Schar.
Howe is not concerned about the team's evolution. He said that Newcastle are not going to be the same team as last year. He is looking forward to finding different ways to score and attack.
