NEWCASTLE SCOUTS TRACK JOAQUIN SEYS AS SCHAR AND BURN REMAIN SIDELINED
Newcastle United scouts are tracking Joaquin Seys as a solution to their defensive crisis. See how the Belgian star fits Howe's plan.
Newcastle United scouts are tracking Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys, and honestly, it’s no surprise. Eddie Howe’s desperate for fresh options in defence right now. The story first came from Craig Hope at the Daily Mail, who pointed out that Newcastle are drawn to Seys because he can slot in just about anywhere across the backline.
Injuries have hammered Newcastle’s defence this season. They haven’t brought anyone in yet during the January window, but with Tino Livramento and Dan Burn both out, and Fabian Schar facing a long spell on the sidelines, they really don’t have much choice. The squad’s stretched thin, and everyone at the club knows it.
That’s why Seys stands out. He’s only 20, but he’s already a regular at Club Brugge and can play comfortably on either side. Newcastle want players who give them options, especially with so many matches in different competitions. Says fits the bill perfectly.
With the transfer deadline looming, the recruitment team at Newcastle is weighing up whether to make a formal move. Signing Seys would ease the pressure on Howe’s current backline and finally give him the cover he’s been missing this season.
Says just fits the way Howe wants to play. He’s got the energy and strength to handle that constant, high-intensity pressing game. He’s direct, aggressive, and likes to push forward—a lot like what you see from Trippier or Lewis Hall. Since he’s comfortable on both flanks, Howe can shuffle things around without worrying about the quality dropping off.
But it’s more than just his skills with the ball. Seys brings a certain grit. He’s tough, he tackles hard, and he’s not afraid to get stuck in from the first whistle. That’s exactly the kind of attitude Newcastle fans expect, and Howe demands. Sure, he’s still learning, but his Champions League minutes show he’s got the mentality for big nights.
Bringing in Seys now wouldn’t just patch up the defensive crisis—it would lock in a top prospect for the future. Newcastle need results now, but they’re also building something. Says just feels like the right move.
MILESTONE MOMENT: JACOB RAMSEY ENDS GOAL DROUGHT TO SINK TOTTENHAM AND THOMAS FRANK
Jacob Ramsey scored his first Newcastle goal to secure a 2-1 win over Tottenham. Read Eddie Howe’s reaction and TNT Sports interview.
Eddie Howe’s team grabbed the lead right before half-time, with Malick Thiaw poking in a loose ball from close range. Honestly, they deserved it. Just a few moments earlier, Joe Willock looked like he’d put the visitors ahead, but VAR stepped in and ruled it out for a razor-thin offside.
So Newcastle went into the break on top. But less than 20 minutes into the second half, the Spurs pulled level. Archie Grey scored from a corner, completely against the run of play. The celebration didn’t last, though. Just four minutes later, Jacob Ramsey fired in a lovely left-footed shot past Guglielmo Vicario. That ended up being the winner.
Ramsey’s goal was a big moment. It was his first for Newcastle since joining from Aston Villa over the summer, and it came just before the Magpies get ready to face his old club in the FA Cup’s Fourth Round. Injuries and tough competition have kept Ramsey from locking down a regular spot at St James’ Park so far, but lately, he looks like someone Howe just can’t leave out.
After the win over the Spurs, Ramsey, who picked up player of the match, talked to TNT Sports about what Howe’s been asking of him. “Yeah, it’s been a while. I’ve been playing all over the place, but today I was a bit higher up the pitch, and the manager kept telling me I need to get my numbers up. Thankfully, I got my goal today.
“I knew I was in the box, played a one-two with Gordon, and it just felt natural. Left foot, nice finish.”
He’s had a rough start at Newcastle. “I got injured in my first start and ended up out for two months. I needed to get my fitness back, and then I was in and then out of the team.
Now, though? “I’m feeling good, feeling fit. I just want to stay in the team, keep scoring, keep getting assists, and help the team out.”
Eddie Howe couldn’t hide his happiness after Ramsey’s goal; his celebration said it all. After the match, Howe praised not just Ramsey’s finish but his whole performance. “Really good goal,” Howe said. “He’s just such a technical player, and you could see that tonight.
“I thought our two number eights, Willock and Ramsey, really stood out. Physically, they were excellent.
“We controlled the first half, partly because of them and Bruno. I’m just so happy for Jacob, because he deserved some recognition for how well he’s been playing lately.”
Next up, Howe and his squad head to Villa Park on Saturday to take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS HE WILL NOT RESIGN DESPITE GROWING FAN PRESSURE
Eddie Howe remains defiant at Newcastle United, receiving crucial backing from CEO David Hopkinson despite a slide to 12th place.
Eddie Howe isn’t going anywhere. Even after the boos from the crowd following Newcastle United’s loss to Brentford, he’s standing his ground.
He’s got backing, too. CEO David Hopkinson publicly supported him last week, and over the weekend, Howe got more encouragement from Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson. But honestly, Howe says the only real pressure comes from himself. He’s his own toughest critic, and he’s determined to come out stronger from this first real rough patch as head coach.
At his press conference, Howe didn’t hide how much the club means to him. “I care so much about what I do. I care so much about the club,” he said. For him, the club always comes first—above himself, above any player. Every decision he makes, he says, is about what’s best for Newcastle United.
And sure, the players matter a lot, but he keeps the bigger picture in mind. He doesn’t worry about outside pressure or what others say—he’s more concerned about living up to his own standards. “I need to do better, and I will do better,” he admitted. Tough moments like this, he said, are where you grow the most, and he’s ready to take it on.
When someone asked if he ever doubted he was the right person for the job, Howe didn’t hesitate. “No, there’s no doubt in my mind, and that’s why I’m sitting here,” he said. If he ever stopped believing he was the right man for Newcastle, he’d walk away. But his motivation is still sky-high, and he’s fighting for the club every single day.
He made it clear—he’d never put himself before the club. If he thought someone else could do better, he’d step aside.
With Newcastle sitting 12th in the table and a desperate Spurs team up next, Howe knows he needs to be at his best. “That’s when everyone is looking at you to set the tone,” he said. People want someone to follow, and he’s ready to lead. He believes in his coaching staff and the squad—a group he calls honest and caring. All that’s left, he says, is to raise the level of their performances.