Eddie Howe hints at big changes at Newcastle this summer after poor season

We were already expecting a big summer of change at Newcastle United, as various outlets have reported on a potential eight changes to the squad.

The team this season, for whatever reason, hasn't performed anywhere near the levels we've come to expect, and there's no way that can be allowed to happen again next season.

There are still a handful of players at the club who were around pre-takeover who have managed to cling onto a place in the squad, but surely their time is coming to an end now.

On top of those, there are players who just aren't performing and others who have served their purpose. Essentially, the whole squad is desperate for a shakeup.

Eddie Howe hints at many changes this summer

We were all expecting a fair amount of change this summer already, but on Friday morning, Eddie Howe spoke to the media and during his press conference, the Newcastle manager hinted that there could be even more change than we thought.

"We're always looking at the team and trying to make assessments and judgments for the future.

"If the team's not performing, then potentially there may be bigger changes in the summer than maybe previously first thought. I think you have to react to what you see, and that goes on a weekly basis, a daily basis, behind the scenes in terms of attitude, commitment to the team. And I think the players expect that."

Has the club got too much to do for one window?

The issue is that we all see the need for so many changes that we're not sure how much is actually achievable in one window, or how we could possibly fund so many changes.

We know that the strategy for transfers has changed, and we're looking for more inexpensive options, but with the number of players we need, not just to replace any outgoings but to add to the squad to give us the depth we've not had for years, it just seems like too much for one window.

Given Newcastle's recent history in transfer windows too, will we even act fast enough to get anyone in, or are we going to end up with more panic buys late on?

We've got our fingers crossed that, having a sporting director in place who is actually keen on staying and doing his job, we'll get a much brighter start this year and can get business done early on. But it all remains to be seen.