Dominic Scurr discusses Eddie Howe's Newcastle United pre-match press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg v Arsenal.
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00:00Good morning everyone here outside the Newcastle United media center at Whitley Park, in my car at least because it's it's very windy
00:07So I want you guys to be able to hear me
00:09So yeah, just been speaking to Eddie Howe this morning ahead of the all-important Carabao Cup
00:15Semi-final second leg against Arsenal at St. James's Park on Wednesday night, Newcastle take a 2-0 lead into that game
00:22Potential Carabao Cup's final again on the horizon if Newcastle can see out their 2-0 lead
00:29Plenty of other things to talk about as well aside from the game because obviously the transfer window closed yesterday Newcastle's
00:36January transfer or winter transfer window, whatever you want to call it went more or less according to plan
00:41There was never really any scope to bring in players. No plan to bring in any players. I'd argue a
00:47signing of any sort would have just gave a boost to the squad that risks becoming stale as Eddie Howe's even put it previously but
00:55nothing happened even the
00:57Late deal for Lloyd Kelly doesn't really bring a significant amount of money in terms of PSR straight away
01:04So there wasn't really any scope to to do anything
01:07Late on the big chunk of the money Newcastle will get will come in the summer
01:11So for next year's PSR calculations, but obviously sold Miguel Almon as well
01:16Everything went according to plan in that regard Eddie Howe did say
01:20He was very reluctant to lose Lloyd Kelly a player who he still felt had a lot to offer at Newcastle
01:25that only just signing but when you get a free transfer and then
01:29Have the chance to make the best part of 20 million from that. It's as I said when reflected on it yesterday
01:35It's almost a no-brainer really. So yeah, it's a deal. Newcastle felt I had to do came about quite quickly
01:41after the Fulham defeat on Saturday where Lloyd Kelly actually got on the pitch and then
01:46Shortly after Eddie Howard actually finished his press conference. It's emerging that
01:51Move to Juventus is a goer. So yeah, Eddie Howe asked about that. Does it necessarily change things in terms of PSR?
01:59It's no huge boost, but it's it's been helpful in terms of looking ahead to the summer
02:04But again, Eddie Howe keen to play down the fact that or the suggestion that it would
02:11Absolutely open Newcastle's PSR and transfer spending in the summer unlock a war chest if you like
02:18Phrase he he used it. It's not not that simple. There's no set budget or anything like that. So yeah
02:25Lloyd Kelly transfer big alarm on transfer deals
02:27Newcastle felt they had to do and then the lack of incomings again the squads in a weaker place Eddie Howe's
02:33didn't hide his frustration at that but
02:36admitted it was just the reality of the situation Newcastle find itself in where
02:42Unless you're selling someone for major major money and it's almost going to be a rolling process where transfers aren't going to be
02:51Overly in terms of bringing players in they're not going to be overly forthcoming. So yeah, we'll look ahead to the summer
02:57picture not
02:58Completely clear at the moment Eddie Howe said but yeah looking ahead to the actual what should be the main talking point
03:05Which is a huge game against Arsenal
03:07To know Eddie how it was put to him many times a dangerous scoreline
03:11But it's only a dangerous scoreline if you make it that way in the second leg
03:16You if you'd rather be two nil up then
03:19Then less than that. So yeah, it's a good position
03:23Newcastle find themselves in so this narrative of a dangerous scoreline is something that is is
03:30Silly in itself really if you Newcastle are able to turn up get to the first goal. That's going to be really important and
03:37In terms of the squad going into the game, obviously Lloyd Kelly's out
03:41McGowan runs out in terms of the first leg at the Emirates Stadium
03:46They've lost those two players from the squad. Did they gain anyone back potentially Callum Wilson?
03:51He's back in training and a late call will be made on him whether he's fit enough to to make the bench
03:56Which is all he was probably ever going to be named on anyway with Alexander Isak fit and firing another
04:03Doubt for the game is obviously Joe Linton who went off with a knee injury on
04:09Saturday against Fulham who spotted with a knee brace
04:12In some training ground photos he posted on Instagram on Sunday
04:17Which obviously spogs a lot of concern among supporters, but Eddie how said that's just a precaution. It's no
04:24serious injury, but
04:26Wait and see on Joe Linton
04:28They'll give him every chance to be fit
04:30But based on what Eddie how was saying based on what you're hearing and based on the fact is knee was literally in a brace
04:36On Sunday, then I'd say Joe Linton's chances of being involved are probably slim
04:42But based on what Eddie how saying they're gonna give him every chance whether he trains today
04:46We'll we'll wait and see but yeah going into the game really really important one for Newcastle
04:52They've lost the last two at St. James's Park. It's under the lights. It's a chance to really
04:57Get the I wouldn't say get the season back on track as they've won 10 of the last 12 games, but really
05:02Spark things up heading into a very tricky run of fixtures after the Birmingham City game where they've got Man City
05:10Nottingham Forest Liverpool all in quick succession in the Premier League which after a couple of disappointing results particularly at home
05:16You need to get things back on track and this having a Carabao Cup final on the horizon to look forward to
05:23Okay, Newcastle have one foot in it in terms of winning the first leg would really
05:28sort of
05:29Build some positivity and momentum going into the sort of business end of the season for Newcastle
05:35So yeah, huge game tomorrow under the lights at St. James's Park. Can Newcastle United reach another Carabao Cup final?
05:43they certainly
05:45Have the fate in their own hands if they turn up and do what they've done against Arsenal
05:51Already this season twice already this season have beat them twice without conceding and even you go back to last season
05:58they've got a 1-0 win as well at St. James's Park if they can continue that then
06:02Great, and they'll be in there being the Carabao Cup final
06:06But there are warning signs there Newcastle again at St. James's Park recently haven't been
06:11great the last two games have lost the last two and
06:15Arsenal go into the game albeit without making any major strike addition
06:22themselves in January which would was a
06:24Sense of frustration you you got because the Arsenal again you look at the one weakness of their squad
06:30Do they have an out-and-out striker with the likes of Gabriel Jesus injured obviously in an attacking sense as well
06:36Bakayo Saka is injured. So yeah attacking additions not forthcoming for Arsenal, but
06:42Didn't seem to cause them any problems on Sunday when the beat Manchester City 5-1 and if they can continue that sort of
06:49free-scoring
06:50Nature on Wednesday night Newcastle will be in for a tricky evening
06:53But like I say, I think the first goal will be important if it happens early on and it happens for Arsenal
06:59it could be a
07:00nervy evening for Newcastle
07:02But we'll just wait and see Newcastle in a healthy position a better position than
07:06Probably most people would have expected them to be in considering the very very rarely win at the Emirates Stadium
07:12So to win 2-0 in the first leg
07:13Probably one of the best performances of the season as well if they can play half as well at St
07:18James's Park tomorrow night
07:19They'll be in with a very good chance of reaching Wembley where either Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool will await them in the final
07:26So big chance tomorrow night big game, of course
07:30And we'll be covering it every step of the way over on the Shields Gazette
07:34so head over to Shields Gazette.com for all of the reaction and
07:39quotes from Eddie Howe
07:40Heading into this Arsenal game as well as the fallout from the transfer window and everything like that for myself Dominic Scurr, my colleague
07:47Joe Buck as well. So see you tomorrow night at St. James's Park. Cheers