https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...-lack-33350838

In the pre-City Presser Eddie explains it.


The Magpies also resisted the opportunity to retain Jamaal Lascelles and recall Matt Targett, who could both offer centre-back cover, but Howe, speaking at his Press conference before the Man City game, said: "The squad is OK. If it was a fully fit squad it would be really strong. Of course it is not, so you have to get players fit.

"We need our injured players back fit. Until we do that, there is an imbalance, and we are certainly stretched defensively. But I am happy with the squad when it is at full strength."

When asked why new recruits weren't brought in, Howe said: "Financially, it wasn't possible. As I said at the start of the window.

"There were players we were looking at for the future, younger players we could develop. Ultimately, it didn't happen. I didn't think there was a player coming in that could affect us."

When asked if it was a risk, Howe said: "Yes. But I think I chose my words; we were left with no other option.

"Every decision we make has a long-term implication. There is no guarantee signing somebody with the funds we had would help us short-term anyway.

"It is what it is and we are used to working in these conditions now. We have only been active in one window out of the last four or five.

"We are under financial restrictions. We have to be smart and decided to wait until the summer. The decision is that the summer window is a lot easier to recruit. There are more players are available and better value for money.

"We had a limited amount of money to use in this window and were the right players available to help us in the short-term? Those options weren't available to us, we can't sign players that don't exist, we have to sign players and we have to work under the conditions we are in."

Howe was then asked if PIF are prepared to still back the club, and said: "There is a willingness to spend what we can but work within PSR limits."