Howe under 'no illusions' after 'difficult' questions - but transfers now 'big focus'

Eddie Howe had been here before.

It was just last year when the Newcastle United head coach delivered a presentation to the club's owners and executives at an annual summit at Matfen Hall in Northumberland.

Newcastle were on the cusp of ending a seven-decade wait for a major domestic trophy, by winning the League Cup, and on course to qualify for the Champions League at the time.

But this year's edition was a little different after Howe was asked "difficult" questions about his side's slide to 14th in the Premier League table.

Howe was upbeat on Friday as he reflected on the support he nonetheless felt at Thursday's meeting, but he repeatedly acknowledged how he needed to win games.

Following a torrid run of nine losses in 12 in the league, the head coach was "under no illusions" that results must improve in the final weeks of the campaign.

"Difficult runs force you to really re-evaluate everything and improve," he said at his news conference before the visit of Brighton.

"So, sometimes, the most disappointing moments are the times when you improve the most."

This summit had been in the diary for several months and was viewed as an opportunity to discuss infrastructure projects and recruitment plans, as well as the team's form.

With chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson in place, Howe feels Newcastle are in a better place to make smarter decisions and conclude deals more quickly than when they operated without a proper executive structure last summer.

The head coach also supports a shift in Newcastle's approach to transfers as the club widen their network, target younger signings and make better use of data.

Although Howe cautioned against signing "too many players," the squad will clearly look very different next season.

"Evolution, change and where the team goes is really exciting," he added.

"Because with some really smart additions, some really good recruitment decisions, you can improve really quickly - as we have seen teams do from last year to this year in the Premier League.