Premier League LIVE: News conferences and team news before the weekend

Recap: Eddie Howe news conference

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Right, that's all from Eddie Howe.

We are taking a short break now, but will be back with more news conferences from midday.

If you missed Howe's news conference this morning, here are the Newcastle manager's top lines:

The Magpies boss questioned CEO David Hopkinson's assertion that the club wanted to win the Premier League by 2030, saying "it is very difficult for me to give a response to timelines"

Howe told fans who have been angered and disillusioned by recent results "we are fighting" and will "give our all for a positive outcome"

He also said that "my individual future is not really relevant" when asked about social media speculation he would step down in the summer

How the players deal with heavy defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City will be "crucial to our success moving forwards", said the Newcastle boss

In terms of team news, Howe has his "fingers crossed" Bruno Guimaraes could be fit for this weekend, but there is "every chance" Anthony Gordon will miss the Brentford game

He added that "with a clean bill of health" the squad was big enough to compete on four fronts

'Transfer windows are a better reflection in time'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

A final word from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on how he reflects on the summer transfer window due to recent criticism on the lack of results for the money spent: "I will always say with transfer windows, they are a better reflection in time because even short-term players can do well, but it is time that will be the judge.

"I do not know the exact time to be honest of when that becomes a fully justifiable analysis, but for me it is too early to make strong conclusions from that transfer window.

"I would probably say see where we are at the end of the season, but, even still, probably six months into next season you will have a clearer idea because you could look at Lewis Hall and say that didn't work initially but for me that was always a long-term signing and various other players [are the same]. Anthony Gordon took time to become the player that he is now.

"I think patience is needed, but that is a rare commodity these days with transfers. I understand with the outlay people will say you shouldn't need patience and understanding, but I think, with most transfers, there has to be an element of that."

'There is extra burden on us but burden we've created ourselves'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on whether the club are still adjusting to playing more games every season with Europe and going deeper in domestic competitions: "Possibly. I don't know when you pass that test but possibly as a football club we are still adjusting to that and getting better at certain things and that evolution will continue throughout time.

"I think this has been an unprecedented amount of games just because of our length of time in the Carabao Cup, our Champions League play-offs.

"There is extra burden on us but burden that we've created ourselves by trying to go deep in various competitions.

"We won't get much praise for that, but that in part has maybe impacted some performances. It is in the pursuit of excellence and trying to win a competition and trophy for this club."

'My individual future is not really relevant'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked about speculation on social media suggesting he could step down in the summer: "That is a surprise to me. As I said to the question earlier, I give my best every day to the football club, to all the players and staff to try and be the best version of myself to inspire the team to win games.

"That is the only thing in my thoughts. I don't tend to look too far ahead. I try and prepare and plan for the club to move forward in every sense. My individual future is not really relevant."

'We are fighting and I think you can see that on the pitch'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on his message to supporters that have a lost a bit of faith with regard to where this season is heading: "My message is that we are fighting and I think you can see that on the pitch.

"The players are giving me everything every two, three, four days to be successful. Wednesday was disappointing. We wanted to give it a really good fight, a really good effort to try and get into the final.

"The players were hugely motivated and then we concede early in the game and the game becomes very difficult, but credit to the players for the response in the second half. They kept going, kept trying to score and creating chances right through the game and now we have to do it again. There is no break for us.

"I can assure you that the players are maxed out physically and mentally and we obviously see them behind the scenes. That is the same with the staff, we are all trying for success.

"It doesn't always go in straight lines, there will be bumps in the road, as there has been this season, but we will give our all to get a positive outcome."

'It is very difficult for me to give a response to timelines'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked where he sees the current project at the club after comments from CEO David Hopkinson this week suggesting he wanted the club to win the Premier League by 2030: "It is a difficult one for me to answer. Timelines and estimations are always very difficult to give when you're the manager because I don't know what's going to happen next week, let alone in four years' time.

"All I try to do is improve the players I am working with, try to make them better players every day.

"Of course, every transfer window we hope the club can improve the squad so you have the coaching aspect and then of course the players you recruit and then we see where that takes us.

"It is very difficult for me to give a response to timelines. I do not think that is right."

'I am hopeful Wissa can find his best form'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

More from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa and whether it will be next season before we see his best form: "I am hopeful that he can find his best form as we go through the season. I think he will continue to get better and better physically. Unfortunately, there is no magic wand to his physical condition because when he came to us he hadn't trained regularly anyway, then he picked up a serious knee injury and he is starting again - in a hurry to get fit for his new team desperate to impress and get back.

"He is fit and he's fine. It is just his match sharpness and things you take for granted when you're fully fit.

"Sometimes it can be hard to refind as quickly as you want to. There is no doubting his quality, his goalscoring abilities and his instincts are still there - it is just getting that last bit of sharpness in his game that will come through time."

'With a full bill of health the squad is more than strong enough to compete'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked if he believes the squad is deep enough to compete on four fronts: "It all depends on injuries. With a full bill of health the squad is more than strong enough. With one or two injuries I still think it is strong enough but I think if you get four or five injuries in one position then possibly not.

"I think it is a really difficult thing to manage because if you have too big of a squad you have problems one way and if you have too thin of a squad you have problems the other way.

"At the start of the season I really liked the look of the team and the squad. Throughout the season we have had different blows with key players missing. None more so than in the last few weeks really than when our midfield has been hit and our back line has been hit for a long time and that has probably been the biggest concern for us."

'There is no doubting Elanga's ability'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on whether Anthony Elanga scoring his first goal will bring out the best of him moving forwards: "I think we have always seen that. I have said many times, if you put the highlights of his performances together since being with us you will see a player that is really dynamic and quick and really direct.

"He has done a load of good things that could have led to goals but I was just really pleased that he got the reward of the goal. I am delighted for him and hope it is the start of many.

"There is no doubting his ability, so it's a really good thing for him."

'Teams are getting to know him' - Howe on Woltemade's form

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on how he is managing Nick Woltemade's dip in form: "He is young, it's a new league. He started so well and I think everybody expected that to continue but I think that is very difficult to do, as much as we wanted that to happen for him.

"He is getting to grips with the challenges of the Premier League; the speed, the intensity and the physicality. And of course teams are getting to know him as well and I think that is the biggest challenge for him, teams understand his game and what he wants to do so he has to find solutions the other way.

"You have to keep ahead of the other teams so there is work for him to do but I think he has done everything with such a great attitude and great way. That is the biggest thing for me he needs to do to be successful."

'We are fighting'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked for his message to supporters who reacted angrily on social media to Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final defeat and were disillusioned about the direction the season was heading.

"My message to them is that we are fighting...and we will give it our all to try to get a positive outcome," he said.

Howe was also asked about reports he could step down in the summer.

"That's a surprise to me," he said, adding "I just try my best".

Full quotes to follow.

'How we deal with each defeat is crucial in our success moving forward'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on how difficult he has found the last few weeks with the heavy defeats: "I think losing is such a difficult feeling. You have to deal with the defeat, you have to put it where you need to put it and you need to learn and evolve from it and learn from every setback. We are trying to do that in a really quick turnaround while also acknowledging the strengths of the performance and where we need to improve.

"The main thing is the players entering the next game in a positive frame of mind, that is so important so how we deal with each defeat we've had in the last week is crucial in our success going forward."

'The scorelines look bad but all could have been different'

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked if he feels the team confidence has taken a hit in recent weeks: "I think naturally you can lose focus on the games that we've had. Paris, Liverpool and Man City for any team away from home in a really short period of time - all back off three-game, six-day weeks, so the lads were going into them not in the best physical condition - for any team that will be difficult.

"Watching those games, the scorelines look pretty bad but I think the games were very different, all could have been different.

"We have to acknowledge that and we have to protect the confidence of the players because if you carry that baggage into the next game then that can be difficult.

"We need the players to play these games with clear heads and feeling good about themselves."

Gordon out but Guimaraes could feature

Newcastle v Brentford (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon's fitness: "No major update on Anthony. I think there is every chance he will miss this game but we are hoping it is not a serious injury and he will be back pretty soon."

On Bruno Guimaraes' availability: "He is getting closer. He did a training session on Wednesday when we were travelling and felt pretty good. I will see him today and fingers crossed he will be fit."

On Lewis Miley's fitness: "We will find out today. I am waiting on an update on him. Again, it's not a serious injury and we are hoping he will be back pretty soon."

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