Newcastle United head to Nottingham Forest on Sunday full of confidence.
While this season has been a tough watch at times, wins over Chelsea and Arsenal have raised the spirit at Newcastle, albeit they are set for another tough game at the City Ground.
Eddie Howe’s side have proven they can still compete with the big boys even despite a lack of investment in recent transfer windows. Now, it’s about finding consistency.
Forest, of course, are no pushovers but Newcastle will be looking to win. The hosts are in fine form and boast talent all across the park but Howe’s side would surely have looked at their trip to Nottingham as a genuine chance to claim three points before a ball was kicked this season.
The fact they are in the top four would obviously suggest that will be difficult but that has little do with Newcastle. A victory at Forest would be a statement of intent.
Key to their chances will no doubt be Alexander Isak.
The striker has scored three goals in as many games and Howe is confident the early-season funk Isak endured is a thing of the past.
Eddie Howe says “class act” at Newcastle is feeling much better now
Speaking on Friday and ahead of the trip to Forest, Howe said of Isak (via The Northern Echo): “He is a class act.
“He’s an outstanding player, and I’m really pleased to see him score the type of goal he did (against Arsenal) because it’s not a trademark Alex goal, but it’s such an important avenue of goals for us. It was a great cross from Anthony, he’s in the right position, and I thought it was an incredible header from the distance he was out.
“That’s a great thing, and he’ll feel better for himself with three goals from three games. It’ll be a different feel to how he was feeling before the Chelsea game last week.”
Alexander Isak has proven Eddie Howe right again
It has proven a welcome return to form for Isak, who was criticised for some of his performances earlier this season.
Despite the noise in regards to his future at Newcastle, Howe was keen to suggest niggling fitness issues were the reason for the striker’s relative malaise.
Back in full flow now, Isak is delivering once more – as Howe predicted he would.
With a player of his quality firing again, the sky looks to be the limit
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