Eddie Howe has suggested Newcastle should not be underestimated and said they are determined to make the top of the Premier League their natural habitat.
Howe’s team will rise to the division’s summit if they win at Fulham on Saturday afternoon and, although their stay would be unlikely to last more than a day he believes such an ascent could lay down a marker.
“It would be nice,” said Newcastle’s manager, who declined to confirm whether he had spoken to the sporting director, Paul Mitchell, this week as the cold war between the pair apparently endures. “It’s a great motivation for us. Of course it means nothing because it’s so early but that’s where we want to be. It’s what we’re working towards. It has to be our longer-term and short-term aim.”
Although Howe acknowledges that Newcastle have quite a gap to close on the leaders, Manchester City, and second-placed Arsenal – who meet at the Etihad on Sunday – he is buoyed by collecting 10 points from four games at a time when several players are still to hit peak form.
“I don’t see how we can currently compare ourselves to Manchester City and Arsenal,” he said. “But the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap; that’s what I’m working towards every day, every week.
“I want my players to be aware there’s more to come from us. There has to be an improvement in key aspects of our game. We haven’t been consistent within games but we’ve found a way to win. There’s a lot of times when, even if you’re not in fifth gear, you can still win in third or fourth.”
Despite Howe’s well-documented differences with Mitchell he said he had spoken to senior members of the club’s hierarchy in recent days and indicated the internal tensions were not affecting his squad.
“I think the club’s unified,” he said. “It depends where you’re talking about that unification, but the unification between me, the players, the supporters and the board is really strong.
“I’ve had conversations with senior members of the board this week. I’m in regular communication with them, trying to collaborate and work together for the benefit of the club. That will always be in my heart while I’m the manager.”
Alexander Isak is a doubt for the trip to Fulham, after suffering eye and foot injuries during last Sunday’s 2-1 win at Wolves. Anthony Gordon is standing by to deputise in a more central attacking role.
Asked how the Sweden international was, Howe replied: “Good question, I’ll find out more today. It was a strange one with his eye. The ball just grazed his eye and that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch. Then he had a knock to his foot as well, so he’s got a combination of the two. We’ll make a decision today.”
