Howe admits Newcastle still adjusting after Isak exit

• Newcastle scored only three goals in first five Premier League games
• Eddie Howe says late transfer upheaval forced the club to adapt on the fly
• Record signing Nick Woltemade backed to deliver but “unfair” to compare with Isak

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted the club is still adjusting to major upheaval after losing Alexander Isak on deadline day and scrambling to rebuild its forward line.

The Magpies have found the net just three times in their opening five Premier League fixtures, with only Aston Villa scoring fewer. Isak’s record move to Liverpool left Howe without his main striker, prompting late deals for Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

“We have had the biggest change to the squad in my time here,” Howe said. “In an ideal world, you have a full six-week pre-season, you iron out any issues you have and you’re forming your partnerships and team relationships. Then, as you start the season, they’re formed. We’re in that position now where we are going to have to do that as we play. I’ve got no issue doing that. I’ve done it before.”

Wissa, who cost £55m from Brentford, suffered a knee injury almost immediately on international duty with DR Congo and won’t return until after the international break. That has left new £69m striker Woltemade carrying much of the responsibility. The 22-year-old German scored on his debut against Wolves but Howe urged patience. “I didn’t think any comparison to Alex is favourable to any player,” he said. “I’m excited by the team we can be. We have certainly got things to learn about each other and formulas to try and generate that we know will work. The biggest thing is the foundation is solid. The team’s playing at strength, but we’re just missing that X-factor that I think will come. With the players that we have, some are guaranteed goals and have done that historically.”

Isak’s exit followed weeks of uncertainty, with the forward going on strike to push through the move. Newcastle failed with attempts to sign Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko earlier in the window, leaving Howe to piece together a new attack as the season began.

“That was never the thought of anyone connected to the club,” he admitted. “It’s quite clear that the summer was difficult. We have tried to come out of it as strong as we could, and I think we have.”