Howe reacts to Elliot Anderson display & reveals positives/negatives from 5-1 win vs Gateshead
Eddie Howe has been speaking to NUFC TV following Saturday's pre-season win over Gateshead at the club's training ground.
He praised Elliot Anderson's first-half display, believing he showed quality, desire and "real endeavor", also liking the link up he saw between him and Ryan Fraser, along with his ability to turn well on the ball.
The boss was "delighted" with Miguel Almiron's two well-taken goals, praising his impressive physical condition considering he's barely trained since returning from a summer break.
Howe was 'disappointed' with the goal we conceded, which saw Gateshead's Paul Blackett get in between Dan Burn and Kell Watts before rounding Karl Darlow a little too easily, also feeling we showed a few rusty touches in possession, however there was plenty he liked about our display.
He feels we arrived with the right attitude. came through a good physical workout in "hot conditions", dominated the ball and produced some "really good stuff", particularly on the counter-attack as we cut Gateshead open in the second half.
Howe then explained that the likes of Botman, Pope, Bruno, Schar and Wood sat this one out after not long returning for pre-season training, but confirms they'll all be on the plane to Austria.
Here's what he had to say on all of the above following today's 5-1 win...
Howe on Elliot Anderson:
“He did very well. I thought he showed real endeavor and desire to do well.
“He showed his quality as well, turning really well with the ball. I thought he linked well with Ryan Fraser in that first period.”
Howe on Miguel Almiron:
“Two great goals, both different. He showed his athleticism in the first and composure in the second. So I’m delighted with Miggy.
“He’s come back here and hasn’t had a lot of training as we gave him a little bit of extended time off with the other international players. Physically he didn’t show any problems.”
Howe on the positives and negatives from a "good workout" against Gateshead:
“It was good, a good workout. Hot conditions and that is probably what you want in pre-season. You want to replicate what the first day will look like.
“A good game, tough opposition, physical game so I think the lads in 45 minutes with a bit of running at the end got what they needed.
“I think at this stage there’s always a bit of rustiness to get out of the players’ minds, bodies, touches of the ball.
“I do think we got better as the game went on. Some really good bits, some bits that we need to improve.
"We conceded a goal I was disappointed with and had another couple of moments where we needed to tighten up, but I can't be too critical.
“We know where we are at this stage. We know there is a long way to go before that first game.
“I think you always look in the preseason at attitude first and foremost. Both teams wanted to win.
“I thought there was some really good stuff with the ball, naturally as we had the majority of possession.
“I think we saw a couple of great counter-attacks at the end and there could have been more.
“We showed a ruthless side right at the end. I would have loved to have shown that a bit earlier but it came. When it came, we showed we can be a really potent force.
Howe on Botman, Pope, Bruno, Schar and Wood sitting this one out:
"Yeh, with those lads we didn't want to push them too quickly.
"We wanted to give them a little bit more time, as they've had reduced training time.
"There's a long way to go. Austria will be an important time for us, as we've got a lot of work to cram in over a short period of time.
"Hopefully the lads will go there and enjoy that and come back that much further forward in our preparations."
