United now have the time to reset

FINALLY the summer transfer window has closed and all of Newcastle United’s focus can now be on matters on the pitch.

- By MATTY HEWITT

There's no denying that the Alexander Isak transfer saga brought unwanted strain to Eddie Howe's preseason preparations and the Toon boss will be glad that chapter has come to an end.

The Magpies were able to bring in Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record fee, while Yoane Wissa joined on deadline day to soften the blow of the Swedish striker moving to Liverpool. Now, though, Newcastle will have to bed in both strikers over the coming weeks.

Howe's men have taken just two points from their opening three games of the season, with draws against Aston Villa and Leeds United - while the decisive goal in the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at St James’ Park came in the dying embers of the game. Performances have been decent enough, albeit without that end product that an out-and-out striker would have delivered in those games.

The international break will give Howe some time to reset and work with the group of players who have not been called up to represent their respective countries while those who have can continue to build their early season fitness.

When they return to Premier League action later this month, there’s a clash with Wolves awaiting at St James’ Park before the small matter of welcoming Barcelona to Tyneside in the Champions League.

With that in mind, The Chronicle has taken a look at what we would do if we were managing Newcastle in the coming weeks:

EDDIE HOWE'S FIRST DILEMMA