Newcastle United’s co-owners enjoyed an impromptu kickabout on the St James’ Park pitch after the victory over Crystal Palace that finally rubber-stamped Premier League survival.
The celebratory mood at St James’ Park will form the backdrop to key recruitment meetings planned for the next week or so, with the flying visit of chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan – one of those on the pitch as he took in a match for the third time – an opportunity to talk about what comes next.
Al-Rumayyan represents majority owners the Saudi PIF and was at the match with Majed Al-Sorour, the CEO of Saudi Golf, who is tipped to join the Newcastle board.
The Magpies are looking to add quality rather than quantity to their squad this summer. Adding another striker is understood to be a priority for the hierarchy, along with a top class centre-back. The club could also utilise season-long loans to circumvent financial fair play rules which the hierarchy are very aware of after a £90million January spend that arrived without any substantial outgoings.
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Being smart sellers and also ensuring improvements in the Academy are also on the agenda in the next few weeks, with Newcastle afforded the luxury of planning with the knowledge that they are a Premier League club next term.
Howe praised Al-Rumayyan for his positivity even when the chips were down. His previous game was Newcastle’s FA Cup defeat to Cambridge, but the club has been transformed in the last three months. The chairman and the rest of the ownership group were in the dressing room to share the moment with Newcastle’s players.
Asked by i about recruitment meetings, Howe said: “That will be for another day. I was so pleased that he was here on Wednesday to see the team and to share in the experience of what the relationship is like with the supporters and the scenes after the game, [it was] so great for him.
“Hopefully we’re building a solid relationship where we can take the club forward, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for us.”
Newcastle have the framework of a deal agreed for Matt Targett, the Aston Villa full-back who has been outstanding since joining on loan. He said: “I have really enjoyed my time here.
“The boys and staff have welcomed me, the fans have been brilliant with me so I can only speak highly about the club, I have really enjoyed my time so we will see what happens. I hope something does get sorted.”
Liverpool keen on goalkeeper tech
Liverpool are the latest club to show an interest in revolutionary sight training technology that developers hope will take the world of professional football by storm.
i detailed how the “Okkulo” is helping to train goalkeepers and improve technique by effectively “training in the dark” and it has been shown to improve ‘keepers when they’ve worked with clubs at League One and League Two level.
Liverpool goalkeeper coach Claudio Taffarel paid a visit to the Okkulo facility at Sunderland’s training ground last week, along with Wolves’ Tony Roberts, to see it in action.
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Man Utd's defensive tactics failed at Anfield and showed far they have shrunk20 April, 2022The system works on the idea that training in low light levels slows down visual processing. To compensate, the brain subconsciously filters out unnecessary movement, helping goalkeepers’ reflexes to speed up, while outfield players report crisper, sharper touches.
The Black Cats are the first to have an “on site” facility, which has been used by players returning from injury as well as the club’s goalkeepers. And it is the potential to improve the reaction times of goalkeepers which has piqued the interest of the Reds.
Liverpool are renowned for their embracing of new technology, with incoming Sporting Director Julian Ward regarded by football insiders as someone ready to innovate on new sports science developments.
Wednesday eyeing Anderson
Sheffield Wednesday are keen to sign Newcastle United’s Elliot Anderson on loan if they bounce back into the Championship at the first time of asking.
Darren Moore’s Owls are in sensational form, having won four of their last five to give them a realistic chance of automatic promotion. Back-to-back away games over the next week will likely decide their fate – and have a huge say in their restructuring for next season.
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Sheffield Wednesday had a loan deal lined up at the turn of the year only for injuries and suspensions to rule it out. But they would be keen to revive the deal in the summer.
But it is likely to require them to be a Championship side, with Millwall and Luton among a clutch of teams keen to bring him in next season.
Newcastle know they have a real prospect on their hands and are likely to treat his progress with care.
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