Eddie Howe on keeping players out of the team and safe for Wembley – Alexander Isak for starters | OneFootball

Eddie Howe has been quizzed on Alexander Isak.

Newcastle United playing Brighton this Sunday afternoon, then West Ham eight days later (Monday 10 March), before then the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday 16 March.

These next two weeks could massively dictate the direction United’s season heads in.

After matches in all three competitions, we then head into the international fortnight.

Alexander Isak, as usual, at the heart of the Newcastle United conversation.

Eddie Howe quizzed on Alexander Isak, asked if Newcastle United are a ‘one man team’:

“We recognise Alexander Isak’s strengths and his abilities.

“I don’t think that we are a one man team, I will never classify us in that bracket, but Alex brings unique qualities in that centre-forward role, in that pivotal middle role..

“We have other ways of playing, other players’ skill sets to utilise.

“I thought that there was a lot of good in our performance against Liverpool but we didn’t hurt them enough around their box for sure.”

Eddie Howe asked about how his team functions with and without Alexander Isak:

“I think that naturally when Alex is not playing, the team has a totally different look.

“It is still a team that can be successful but they will have to do it in a different way.

“Alex has standout qualities.

“We have moulded our game to those qualities.

“He is an outstanding talent, he possesses skills and abilities, a way of playing, that makes us better in my opinion.

“That’s no disrespect to anyone [else] we have.

“I thought Callum Wilson did a great job for the team against Liverpool in a change of system on Wednesday but I think we missed Alex.”

Eddie Howe asked how cautious he will be with Alexander Isak, in the lead up to the League Cup final in two weeks time:

“It is pretty clear for me, that if Alexander Isak is fit in any game leading up to the [League] Cup final, then he will play.

“We have to have that mindset with all of the players.

“You can’t save players [for a particular match] as they will lose rhythm.

“The best thing for a player to stay in good form and to stay fit, is to play them.

“That is what we will try to do with all of our players.”

All remaining Newcastle United fixtures and the dates of the remaining FA Cup rounds, if needed:

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Sunday 2 March –  Newcastle v Brighton (1.45pm) – FA Cup fifth round ITV1

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final! Sky Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 29 March –  FA Cup quarter-final weekend)

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 26 April – Newcastle v Ipswich (3pm)

(Weekend of Saturday 26 April –  FA Cup semi-final weekend)

Saturday 3 May – Brighton v Newcastle TBC

Saturday 10 May – Newcastle v Chelsea TBC