Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Monday, 8 August 2022.
Howe on Bruno
Eddie Howe has revealed that the "best thing" about signing Bruno Guimaraes was how quickly he and his coaching staff warmed to his personality. The Newcastle United head coach says that the speed of the transfer meant that he could not do all of the research on the midfielder he would have liked.
But insists he was never in doubt about the quality of the World Cup-bound Brazil international. Howe said: "I watched him a lot and really liked him as a player. Then of course the difficult thing with him playing in France was to get to know him before we signed him.
"That's always the risk. We did as much homework as we could and tried to find out about him as a personality and him as a person. The best thing upon signing him was not just his ability, but finding what he's like as a person and a guy - we instantly loved him."
READ MORE: Callum Wilson does exactly what he needs to do to secure a place at World Cup
Read more here.
Wilson on fitness
Callum Wilson feels that Newcastle United are now in a place to compete in the Premier League - thanks to a summer of hard work and a pre-season to be proud of. The Magpies started last season with a 4-2 home defeat against West Ham after a second half collapse with fitness levels brought into question.
One year on, and after one of the most intense summers at United in years, Newcastle dominated from start to finish against Nottingham Forest in a game Wilson feels they could easily have won 5-0. When asked about the comparison between fitness in 2021 and 2022, Wilson told Chronicle Live: "I can't disagree. The opening day last year and the opening day this year.
"You seen a performance by the whole squad. Everybody was still closing down and pressing in the 90th minute. It just shows the hard work that's gone on behind the scenes by the players and also credit to the staff who gave us those tasks and got us into this place."
Read more here.
Bruno’s Botman example
They may play in different positions, of course, but it was fitting that Sven Botman replaced Bruno Guimaraes when the new signing made his Newcastle United debut as a late substitute on Saturday.
Like Bruno, who also arrived from France, Botman is going to play a huge part in Newcastle's bright future but the 22-year-old is going to have to earn his place in this side first - just as his team-mate did many months previously.
Bruno's game time was slowly built up in his first few weeks at the club - the Brazil international made five second-half substitute appearances before his first start - and you suspect Botman will also have to bide his time. Although there is a strong possibility Botman could make his full debut in the Carabao Cup later this month, it may be another little while yet before the defender makes his first Premier League start.
Read more here.
Transfers
Newcastle United are considering a fresh bid for Everton star Anthony Gordon with Leicester City still reluctant to sell James Maddison.
The Magpies were met with similar resistance to the Maddison offer on Gordon earlier this summer when they were believed to have submitted a £35million bid for the winger. Back then Everton stated Gordon was "not for sale" but there could yet be a tipping point for the Toffees and with injuries mounting up Frank Lampard's side may have to reinvest in their squad to avoid another battle against relegation.
Both Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey picked up injuries at the weekend and they may need a cash injection to help bring in replacements.
Read more here.
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