Howe hints at impressive transfer plan in pre-season interview - How times have changed...

Eddie Howe wants his Newcastle United squad to have TWO "quality" players in every position heading into the 2022/23 season.

Speaking to NUFC TV, the boss has talked up the importance of a strong squad and strength in depth in all areas, believing the demands put on his players will be 'extreme' ahead of a campaign that's set to feature a mid-season World Cup and congested fixture list.

This offers an impressive insight into our summer transfer plans, proving we are no longer prepared to take chances or send a threadbare squad into a new season - something we often did during the Mike Ashley era.

Here's what Howe had to say when asked about his summer transfer plans on NUFC TV:

"The new additions really do strengthen our squad.

"It's really important that we come back a better team.

"You need a minimum of two players in each position.

"I think the demands the Premier League will set this year will be extreme, with the World Cup and fixtures being congested.

"So we're really going to need that quality in every position.

"Competition also bring out the best out of everybody - it really does push you to new heights, so I think it's really good for the group."

Nick Pope's arrival is perhaps the best example of our change in approach, as we now have Martin Dubravka - a proven Premier League goalkeeper - ready to come in (or vice versa) should the England stopper get injured.

Our striker search also reflects this, showing we aren't prepared to pin our hopes on an injury-prone Callum Wilson or settle for Chris Wood alone as back-up.

It's nice to see a manager speak sense and our football club running properly again after years of mismanagement and neglect.