Were Howe's tweaks a glimpse at next season?

[BBC] [Getty Images] In the second part of a special Q&A, BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly reflects on whether Eddie Howe hinted at an attacking system at the back end of the last campaign and gives his opinion on the already infamous new home kit. Richard asked: NUFC seemed to be building through the middle more towards the end of last season - do you think this is what they'll be working on pre-season? Could this be plan B - or even plan A for next season? Ciaran answered: It certainly felt like signs of belated evolution, which ultimately came too late in the campaign. Live wire William Osula gave Newcastle something very different up front with his pace in behind and his ability to lead the press. The use of Jacob Ramsey as an inverted winger was effective against West Ham, in particular, in the final home game of the season. Record signing Nick Woltemade looked a lot more comfortable in a number ten role, where he was able to link play. Head coach Eddie Howe made such tweaks with an eye on the future, but new standards will need to be set in pre-season following a disappointing 12th-placed finish. This is when Howe will truly set his stall out on how he wants the team to play. Howe will not radically move away from his core principles, but it is as much about being "effective" as well as "different" in his eyes. Much will be influenced by the players Newcastle recruit this summer. If Newcastle get this window right, it then falls to Howe to make the most of additional training time and recovery time to ensure the club bounce back. Robert: Why do you think they changed their home strip? I think it is a very bad choice. What was wrong with the traditional stripes? Ciaran answered: Newcastle called it a "fresh, new take" and said it "reimagines our classic look with a bold, disrupted stripe pattern". In a strange way, as a result, Juventus' shirt by the same supplier - Adidas - looks more like a traditional Newcastle kit. There is a precedent, though, from back in 1990 when Newcastle also had thin stripes on their home shirt. But I would be absolutely staggered if the club did not revert back to a more traditional look next season. Keep across this page for the final part of Ciaran's Q&A, which will look at subjects including how much Newcastle can spend this summer and the striker situation.