Eddie Howe was asked about some of his players that have been the subject of transfer speculation in recent weeks. It’s been reported that both Ryan Fraser and Karl Darlow are free to leave this month with the pair both keen on more playing time.
Fraser reportedly asked to leave in the summer but the inability to add a wide player scuttled any chance of his leaving. With the winter window open, the 28-year-old could be allowed to depart to clear room for new arrivals.
Fraser has not made a matchday squad in the league since Boxing Day leading to speculation he will be moved on this month. Howe was asked about Fraser’s recent absences during this morning’s press conference and provided the following:
“No, he’s not injured. He’s training. He’s just got to keep training well. Keep training hard.
“He’s a valued member of the squad. I know Ryan better than anybody and I know what he’s capable of.
“I’d love to see him back in a Newcastle shirt.”
There seems to be little outside interest in a permanent move for Fraser. Though there are reportedly a number of clubs, both Premier League and Championship, that could be interested in a loan.
Fraser has made just 8 appearances this season with the emergence of Miguel Almiron on the right wing limiting his chances. Jacob Murphy has also blossomed as an impact substitute dropping Fraser down the pecking order.
Karl Darlow has been linked with a loan move to Hull City. The Tigers are looking to add competition for Matt Ingram with Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter back at Stamford Bridge rehabbing an elbow injury.
Howe was asked about Darlow’s future. He didn’t rule out a move for the long-serving 32-year-old but suggested nothing was imminent saying:
“There’ll be no one going out before tomorrow. We assess the squad on a daily basis and depending on what’s happening, there’s lots of noise and lots of things going on, but we certainly want to keep the squad intact.”
Darlow is likely to leave this month with Loris Karius extended until the summer. It will be interesting to see who the backup is tomorrow with Martin Dubravka cup-tied. Karius has not made a matchday squad since before the World Cup break.
The head coach was also asked about the rumor that Turkish club Besiktas was close to signing Jonjo Shelvey. Howe refuted that claim stating the following:
“I’ve been surprised at all the speculation.
“I’ve got no idea where that has come from. It’s certainly not come from us. Jonjo is a very valued member of the squad.”


92 comments so far
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:54 AM
Comment #1Tds I could be wrong, but I suspect the only people who are saying the system is unfair or broken are the people who don’t attend enough matches during the year to warrant a ticket over fans who travel to more games than them.
I could be completely wrong in saying that, and the system could actually be broken, however I don’t think its a coincidence that fans who travel to all the games home and away never ever have an issue getting a ticket.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:54 AM
Comment #2Rotunda I’ll give you a hint I’m almost never negative internally,it’s usually just superstition, I hate even having to say this though because now it feels like I’m letting the cat out of the bag and it’s not going to work anymore lol.
But at the end of the day, I really do feel were going to get them good.
Dont worry on the matchday though I’ll be back to my usual self
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:55 AM
Comment #3😉
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:59 AM
Comment #4Adam, I get you. I would like to see it as well bud. But I do think we will have to sacrifice some defensive solidarity to play more attacking.
It’s no coincidence in most of the games where we’re more attacking and score a few goals, we usually concede one.
Novocastrian66
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:08 PM
Comment #5I think it is fair that the people that attend the most games get first dabs on tickets for cup games and away games.
Adamn_92
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:10 PM
Comment #6Irish
Yeah it’s a fine balancing act for sure man. I can’t really have any complaints with how this season is going so far, so i’m more than happy if we stick to our ‘shall not pass’ style at the moment, as it’s getting the job done.
Be really interesting to see what business we do over summer and how we line up next season in terms of shape and playing style.
scott
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:10 PM
Comment #7The main issue we have at the minute is every midfielder is snatching at shots & lacking composure, against palace literally every one of them could have scored in the game but at the minute none have the confidence to believe they will!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Comment #8On tickets people who generally go to the most games will be rewarded with the tickets that’s how it goes whether that’s because they live in Newcastle or have a bit more money that is just the way it goes!
I generally would try to get to a couple of games a season travelling from Glasgow and staying in the city that actually would come to more than the cost of your average season ticket so its a bit of a gutter to miss out but hey ho!
Saying that I probably wouldn’t really care that much if there was a digital season ticket…….
Getting to watch us in high quality home and away for a set fee in my house wouldn’t replace the match day experience but it would certainly make life more enjoyable not having to hunt for streams pay sky etc
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:13 PM
Comment #9Toonarmy I wold have a strong suspicion that’s not how the system really works, I suspect that’s just how the system appears to work and bugs out with so many on the site at once.
I suspect the system probably works better for those who are more entitled to tickets. It’s probably a way of holding tickets for those who earned them over others who haven’t when they are not able to log on as early as the ones who don’t attend as many matches.
Basically what I’m saying is I’ve a suspicion the bugs you experience are clubs way of making sure those who deserve the tickets get them, while still making sure those same tickets are available for others should the fans who have earned the right to be ahead of others choose to not actually buy them.
Novocastrian66
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:21 PM
Comment #10IrishRob; We have won 6 matches without conceding. We do not have to sacrifice our defensive stability to win more matches. We need to start converting our chances, to win more matches.
I believe this will happen.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:21 PM
Comment #11Irish mob
It is nothing to do with attending matches..Where do you keep getting that from?? or a points system if you are a member
Every member has the same right to go online at the same time and queue for a ticket, And yes it is the luck of the draw.It does’nt matter how many games you have attended recently it is just pot luck
Adamn_92
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #12I reckon any transfer business we have may well be in the last 2 or 3 days. I think the wage issue may be restricting us a bit and it’s a tricky balance to let players go to free that wage up, as well as having the right players lined up ready to replace them. So I would expect we’re trying very hard to get a lot of things all lined up and in place before we pull the trigger on anything.
I’ve got full trust in the club though.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:22 PM
Comment #13This is just what ambition does.
When a club is ran well, people are more inclined to want to attend again and rightly so.
My argument is that you as a STH can buy an extra ticket but then give that ticket to someone who is NEITHER a STH or Member….which is madness.
How is that Fair??
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:28 PM
Comment #14Novo I agree completely 1000%. I literally marvel at the dedication of some of those away fans, it’s kinda incredible, the money they spend, the time and dedication and hardships they go through just to support the team and they absolutely should be top of the queue.
I do think as Transfer sage was saying though that the system does wind people up, and probably leads people into a false sense of thinking.
But I would bet once all said and done there isn’t a better system that covers all eventualities that still offers tickets for sale should ones who have priority choose not to buy them. I suspect this whole thing is a juggling act holding tickets and delayong sales to fans until those with priority choose to buy or not buy.
Or if there is a better system, it’s very complicated or time consuming to set up and fix, and there might probably be far more pressing issues for the club to sort out before any of that, or maybe they just cant shut the system down mid season ro fix it, maybe they need to wait until the season ends.
Because ultimately the ones who deserve the tickets always seem to get them, it’s just because of the probable bugs in the system it’s perceived by those who don’t get the tickets as not working right.
Again this is all supposition on my part and I could be completely wrong, but I’d bet money I’m not.
Novocastrian66
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Comment #15Jazzyp; I agree that is an issue. I think that arrangement stems from a time when there was a lack of demand for tickets.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:31 PM
Comment #16IrishRob – I think it’s fair enough that ST holders who also go to many away matches get preferential treatment. I also think it’s fair that they get easier access to a 2nd ticket so they can take their partner, kid, friend occasionally. I don’t have an issue with that at all as long as they’re not selling it to a tour or for a grossly inflated price themselves.
I figure if someone is struggling to get tickets, why not reach an agreement with a ST holder?
Pottsclock
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Comment #17Everton are showing all the signs of a club in absolute crisis. Irrespective of Lampard himself, who would want to be a player at a club where the supporters hound the players and threaten them? It’s not exactly going to help their transfer business…no sensible player will want to go there if they have other options. And if Lampard is sacked, no manager will want to go there either
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:34 PM
Comment #18Jazzy mate I’m only trying to make sense of why you might not be getting a ticket. I Dont ultimately really know, I’m just supposing what I think might be the cause of it.
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:35 PM
Comment #19Lee Charnley Bunga
I’m in a similar position to you, also in Glasgow too.
I would share how I watch games but can’t as per blog policy, happy to reach out if you can be contacted another way of course.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:36 PM
Comment #20Novo
I don’t begrudge any fan getting a ticket to go see Newcastle mate.If you are fortunate to get a ticket at the moment then fair play,But this was always going to be a pit fall of success and unfortunately we as fans who have given and spent 1000s on the club and travelled 1000s of miles are given no consideration
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:38 PM
Comment #21Pottsclock
Everton fans are just making themselves look foolish, even if it may be the minority who are behaving in that way.
They are asking for the full board to be sacked, even naming people to be sacked, despite some of those coming in this season an actually steadying the ship and stopping them falling foul of prem league FFP rules. According to The Athletic anyway.
For all the issues we had, I do like that as a fan base we didn’t really turn on players, certainly not hounding them in person. There may have been complaints online and some boos in the stadium, but nothing on the scale as what we saw last week with Everton.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:39 PM
Comment #22Unfortunately if you are not from the area then a ST is a no no as it is impossible to get to mid week fixtures,Hence the Membership.But my point is because of the demand and nothing to do with how many games or points you rack up,Then why not just go back to general sale as that was just the luck of the draw as is a membership now
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:43 PM
Comment #23IrishRob,
You’ve just posted quite a damning statement on the ticket fiasco and there’s not a shred of truth in what you’ve said, you’re way off the mark. The ticketing servers are way out of date and we thought it would have been upgraded in the summer.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:43 PM
Comment #24Tds I think the only way around that is to probably come up with a system where only the season ticket holder can use the ticket, I.e you have to present I.d at the turnstiles as well as your ticket.
But that would also put an end to being able to occasionally bring along a kid or a relative or a friend, as the guy next to you wouldn’t be allowed to give their ticket away for the day.
I think on balance it’s probably something that people are just gong to have to put up with.
What I don’t understand is in the case of resellers, selling their season ticket how do other season ticket holders not notice a different person sitting next to them every fortnight and not report that seat number. If more people did that, this would 100% at least help combat re-sellers.
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:44 PM
Comment #25Jail hush up and stop trying to start trouble ffs
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:48 PM
Comment #26I got allocated a ticket number of 7K today which isn’t bad, got four up in L7 family section. Add to basket, two adult two children. Continue. Event no longer available. The servers can’t handle the traffic basically. Rang the ticket office and got through and got a right snotty young lass who said I should have screen shotted the error message and nothing she can do as it’s sold out “how do I know you’re not just saying you got queue number 7K”
Rang back and got a lad who I’ve had a bit of craic with in the past and I got a single in the platinum club.
Novocastrian66
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:49 PM
Comment #27Jazzyp; I chucked my season ticket 3 season’s ago. I accept that I will no longer be able to go to games because I have no chance of getting a ticket.
I know a few season ticket holders and I do not ask them to get a ticket on my behalf as I think it is wrong.
It is tough for supporters who live outside the region and I’m sympathetic to their issues with obtaining tickets.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Comment #28IrishRob,
I’m not trying to cause trouble at all, you’ve just posted complete untruths on the frustrating ticketing situation, it’s got nothing at all to do with how many games you’ve attended, but that the servers can’t handle the traffic.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:52 PM
Comment #29Jail
You only have to go on tw@tter to see the system is not fit for purpose,And many now are ringing rather than going online.
Ya cannot fault the owners for what they have done with the club in such a short space of time.But i do believe the club is letting the fans down with ticket allocation
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:56 PM
Comment #30jazzyp,
It was bad last season but you could understand that as they took over Ashley’s antiquated website, everyone thought it would receive an overhaul in the summer but it clearly hasn’t.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 12:57 PM
Comment #31Novo
I am sure you will get back soon bud,And call me old fashioned but i believe strongly in loyalty.And maybe membership should be on a points system like away fans with there ST number.
Let us remember a short while back they couldnt give tickets away as a lot of fans walked.Yet the loyal fans that stuck it out and showed loyalty to the club through thick and thin have the same rights as someone who has never been to a game or has any affiliation
IrishRob
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Comment #32Jail either your grasp of your mother tongue is lacking or you’re trying to deliberately start trouble, which is it?
Because NO WHERE have I said this is whats wrong, I’ve said IN MY OPINION this is what MIGHT be wrong with the system. I’ve also clearly said it MULTIPLE times.
Secondly even if the system does or doesn’t work like this, what the bloody hell is so terrible about saying it does. Ultimately the system clearly works fairly as those who put in the graft always seem to get their reward, it’s just clearly buggy and there’s bigger issues to fix considering Ultimately its probably working just fine in regards to actual ticket allocations and how they are handed out.
So what are u actually getting at here like seriously, because it seems awfully like you’re coming in here trying to twist things to start a pile on. Because even those with even half a brain can work out there is literally NOTHING wrong with anything I’ve said.
Again stop trying to cause bloody trouble, christ you’re diabolical at times.
jazzyp
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:03 PM
Comment #33True Pal which is baffling as they knew the extent and demand for tickets would only be greater.Maybe giving members points like ST holders get would give the loyal fans more of a chance , But i still don’t think that will sort out the issues. Demand outstrips supply and is only gonna get worse which means a move away from ST James Park or massive changes to the current ground
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:07 PM
Comment #34“The reason anyone is not getting tickets is because ye clearly aren’t going to as many matches as others and don’t have the points built up”
What am I not grasping there IrishRob
“Jazzy if you’re not getting a ticket it’s because you’re not going to enough matches Recently. It’s literally as simple as that unfortunately”
It really isn’t as simple as that IrishRob, as I said you’re way off the mark.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:07 PM
Comment #35Rob. I know it your opinion which is fine.
But your pretty wide of the mark in getting it right. Which is fine. But it’s contrary to my experience and a few of my mates too who all go to about 5 home games a season.
The IT is a mess fir a multimillion £££ business.
They’ll get it sort…. They have too really.
Transfer Sage
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:09 PM
Comment #36Jail
Working in that type of sector, these things take a lot more time than you’d expect to resolve.
I’m guessing there was no in house people to do that type of work and therefore their will be third party contractors in to fix and maintain a new service. It may well take time to get the right company on board.
Hopefully it’s something that can be improved if it’s causing such trouble for fans. There should definitely be a way to handle things better as they should know roughly the demand they will need to deal with and how to best handle things.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:10 PM
Comment #37IrishRob,
I wasn’t rude to you or disrespectful, I just pointed out that what you said about people not being able to get a ticket didn’t have a shred of truth in it and was way off the mark. How else could I have put it?
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:12 PM
Comment #38To say something “is as simple as that” isn’t an opinion it’s you telling them the reason they can’t get a ticket and you’re telling him the incorrect reason as to why.
Not another deJong
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:18 PM
Comment #39ToonDarnSarf
I am still mad with Alan Pardew for missing out on 4th (CL) by losing by 4 goals to relegated Wigan, so go figure.
Not another deJong
Jan 23, 2023 at 1:20 PM
Comment #40Legislation has been introduced to effectively ban Wood burners in urban areas.
Something to do with toxi-city.