Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Eddie Howe spoke to Amazon Prime following our sensible Boxing Day win over Aston Villa at St James’ Park.
The boss mentioned our sensible begin by way of Anthony Gordon – who scored a stunner inside 90 seconds – our capability to handle the sport in opposition to 10 males, our attacking menace and one other clear sheet.
His switch stance heading into January was additionally made clear, as Howe doubled down on his hope to strengthen – not stand nonetheless – if PSR permits it…
Beginning together with his response to the outcome, objectives and one other convincing win that sends us as much as fifth, Howe mentioned this shortly after the full-time whistle:
“It’s a superb purpose from Anthony [Gordon]. He’s able to that and nice to see that go in as he has been working arduous on his ending and desires extra objectives.
“Sure, it was 11 v 10 however the recreation was by no means completed at 1-0 and we confirmed good group traits. We have been affected person with the ball, we tailored and managed the state of affairs (in opposition to 10 males) very effectively. I’m delighted with the win.
“We have been by no means comfy till the second purpose and I’ve to enhance the gamers and the way effectively they’re taking part in, it’s a good set of outcomes and performances. We’ve been trying to find consistency.”
In his reward for our high quality and renewed confidence at each ends, Howe added: “We seemed like we might rating at any second. The attacking gamers have their confidence again which is nice to see and we glance in a fantastic place.
“However the defensive facet we don’t neglect both. Dubravka has completed a extremely good job for the group and the again 4 have responded. We’re in place.”
Talking to Shay Given and Thomas Hitzlsperger after the match, Howe was requested about our January switch plans as soon as once more.
Howe’s message was clear. We wish to strengthen and we will’t ‘stand nonetheless’, however we will solely signal if we’re given license to take action inside PSR restrictions:
“If we will strengthen [in January], in fact that might be our choice”, Howe mentioned. “You’ll be able to by no means stand nonetheless within the recreation. The sport evolves too rapidly. We wish to keep on the very high of that evolving feeling.
“However you may solely do it if we will do it (spend). And if we will’t, we have now to get the most effective out of the squad, which is what we’re doing.”
Requested concerning the purple card incident, Howe felt it was “harsh” and a shock to see Jhon Duran proven a straight purple: “Thought it was possibly harsh, my intestine really feel. Little stunned purple card got here out.”
