Eddie Howe's Newcastle admission after a disruptive transfer window - as he opens up on summer signings Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle lack the 'X factor' this season, as he asked for patience with £69million record buy Nick Woltemade and bemoaned the immediate loss of fellow signing Yoane Wissa.

Only Aston Villa have scored fewer than Newcastle's three goals in the Premier League and Sunday's goalless draw at Bournemouth was their third on the road.

Howe is still trying to find a way for his team to attack effectively without Alexander Isak, and concedes he would rather he'd had a full summer to work on his new-look side.

The head coach said: 'We're going through a period where we've had the biggest change to the squad since my time here. 

'In an ideal world you have a full pre-season to iron out any issues you have - you're forming your partnerships and team relationships so that they're formed for the start of the season.

'It was my intention - and the intention of everyone at the club - to be that (dynamic in business). No one says, "We'd like to do our business late", and then start the season with a group of new players who you have to mould as you're playing. That was never the thought of anyone connected to the club.

'But the way the summer unfolded - and there is a whole host of reasons why that happened - this is the situation we've been placed in and now it's our job to try and make the best of that. That has always been my method of work. 

'I think we're in the position where we're going to have to do it (shape the team) as we play. I have no issue with doing that, I've done it before.'

He added: 'It's quite clear, the summer was difficult. We've tried to come out of it as strong as we could and I think we have. The squad is really strong but we need to do a lot of work now to try and gel the team together. I'm excited about the team we can be.

'I think the biggest thing is the foundation is solid. The team is playing with strength, it's just missing that X Factor that I think will come.'

Woltemade scored the only goal on his debut at home to Wolves but was a second-half substitute in the defeat by Barcelona, before starting at Bournemouth.

And Howe said: 'I think Nick has made a really strong start. He will improve the fitter he gets, firstly. That's a huge thing. He's come to us with not being used to the demands of Premier League football. 

'This league is relentless physically and our schedule is relentless. In terms of us doing physical work with him, that's very difficult.

'A lot of what we're doing with him in the short term is to try and keep him fit by not putting him in dangerous positions by playing too many successive 90 minutes too early. 

'But fitness will be an issue because the Premier League is different. That's the biggest thing for him and once he gets fitter you'll see an even better product.'

Wissa injured his knee on international duty just says after his £55m arrival on Tyneside and won't be seen until after the October break.

Howe said: 'If Yoane was available now he'd be allowing us to work with Nick's fitness in between games and sharing some of the load. We need him back and need him back quickly.

'It (losing Wissa) was huge. You go into the new season with your squad settled and you have a plan and then we didn't even see Yoane. He's come back injured and that was a difficult one having spent the money, and we knew Yoane was Premier League ready and knows the league inside and out.

'It happened, we had to deal with it. Touch wood it's not a long-term injury and we get through the next few games and then he will be back.'