Eddie Howe has cautioned against underestimating Newcastle and expressed his determination to establish the club at the pinnacle of the Premier League. Howe's team could ascend to the top of the division if they secure a victory against Fulham on Saturday afternoon. While their stay at the summit might be brief, he believes such a rise could serve as a significant statement.
"It would be a pleasant achievement," said Newcastle's manager, who refrained from confirming whether he had spoken with the sporting director, Paul Mitchell, this week amid ongoing tensions between them. "It's a tremendous motivation for us. Naturally, it means little given the early stage of the season, but that's where we aspire to be. It's our long-term and short-term goal."
Despite acknowledging the considerable gap between Newcastle and the current leaders, Manchester City, and second-placed Arsenal – who face off at the Etihad on Sunday – Howe is encouraged by his team's accumulation of 10 points from four games, especially considering several players have yet to reach their peak form.
"I don't see how we can currently compare ourselves to Manchester City and Arsenal," he stated. "But our objective is to bridge that gap; that's what I strive for every day, every week."
Howe emphasized the need for further improvement in key areas of their game, noting their inconsistency within matches but their ability to secure victories. "There's a lot of times when, even if you're not operating at full capacity, you can still win if you're in third or fourth gear," he said.
Despite his well-known differences with Mitchell, Howe mentioned recent conversations with senior club officials and indicated that internal tensions were not impacting the squad. "I believe the club is unified," he said. "The unity between me, the players, the supporters, and the board is very strong."
Alexander Isak is a potential doubt for the Fulham trip, having sustained eye and foot injuries during last Sunday's 2-1 win at Wolves. Anthony Gordon is on standby to fill a more central attacking role if needed. When asked about Isak's condition, Howe responded: "Good question, I'll find out more today. It was an unusual situation with his eye. The ball just grazed it, which was the main reason for his substitution. He also had a foot injury, so he's dealing with both. We'll make a decision today."
