Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimaraes' future and "bizarre" game at Bristol City
After last night's 4-1 defeat to Bristol City, Eddie Howe was quick to face the media following a frankly shoddy display at Ashton Gate.
It's only pre-season, yes, but it wasn't good enough at either end of the pitch. We conceded too many poor goals, were cut open easily and struggled to create against a side who finished 12th in the second tier last season.
Alongside Howe's reaction to the game itself, which he didn't see as negatively as most Newcastle fans did, the boss was inevitably asked about Bruno Guimaraes' future amid constant links to Arsenal.
Howe: We can't control the Bruno saga
Speaking openly with the North East press pack last night, Eddie Howe admitted that he, Newcastle and Bruno himself are "not in control" of the current transfer saga that's dominating the headlines on Tyneside.
Howe is looking forward to having his captain back, hopefully tomorrow, and hoping for a positive resolution that sees our star man remain at St James' Park for at least another season.
"Yeah (it would be negative if this drags on), but we’re not in control of that. And to some degree, I don’t think Bruno’s in control of that either."
"What will be, will be. We can’t control the forces that are at play here, we’ve just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do. And he makes a difference as he always has done."
Asked if he'd received assurances over Bruno's future, the boss was hesitant to push for promises.
"We’ve spoken numerous times. Assurances? I don’t think you can push too hard for those.
"I’ve said many times we want players who are committed, and Bruno has always been committed.
"His training performances and his game performances have been outstanding, every time he’s worn the shirt, he’s played with the fans by his side. I’d love to see that continue."
Discussing if the Brazilian would be back on Friday, Howe had no reason to believe the skipper wouldn't return to the group after a period with family in South America.
"The details I don’t actually know, but I don’t see any reason why that [him being back on Friday) wouldn’t be the case."
Howe baffles fans with Bristol assessment
It got pretty messy in Bristol last night, with some comparing it to that battering at Leyton Orient following relegation in 2009.
Was it only pre-season? Yes. But was it alarmingly poor in areas of the pitch? Also yes. Howe doesn't seem to share the latter view, however, claiming the concession of "bizarre" goals threw off what as actually a "pretty strong performance", in his words.
"I actually thought it was a pretty strong performance, despite the fact that the goals we conceded were bizarre.
"Pre-season is to get out all the rustiness of the summer, to get the players to a position where, when the team faces Liverpool, they're ready."
I agree with the second line. Rustiness is a thing and so many of these summer friendlies are designed with fitness in mind, but it sends out the wrong message if our manager is praising that level of performance, be it pre-season or not.
