Eddie Howe isn't typically given to histrionics or grand public pronouncements. Based on his standards, his media briefing after the weekend's loss to West Ham qualifies as a angry outburst. His side scored first but West Ham took the lead by half-time, as well as hitting the post and having a penalty revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to execute a three substitutions at the half-time.
“That was the frustrating thing about the first half,” Howe stated. “Virtually any player could have been substituted and I think that was a reflection of where we were in that moment during the match and it's extremely uncommon for me to feel that way. In fact, I don’t think having done so since I’ve been manager of Newcastle, so I felt the team needed some shaking up at half-time. That’s why I did those decisions.”
Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Emil Krafth were substituted at half-time and Newcastle did stabilise somewhat in the latter period, but never appearing like they could fight back into the contest against an opponent that had won only one of their previous nine fixtures. Given how packed the middle of the table is, with a mere three-point gap dividing the top spots from mid-table, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a run of twelve points from 10 games has not placed the Magpies stranded but, equally, they cannot finish the season in 13th.
The Issue of Expectations
The challenge to an extent is one of public view. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle possess the richest backers in the world. The expectation at the time the Saudi fund acquired 80% of the team in recent years was that it would have a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group had at Manchester City. The distinction is that both of those owners took over prior to the advent of financial fair play rules (while the ongoing charges against Manchester City concern if they breached those guidelines once they were implemented).
Profit and sustainability regulations limit the capacity of proprietors, no matter how wealthy, to invest funds on their teams and so in that sense probably might have slowed every Middle Eastern effort to elevate the team to the level of City. But there is no need for the club's expenditure to have been quite as cautious as it has; they could have spent more and remained within the threshold – or simply taken a fairly minor Uefa fine since their big problem is primarily with the continental than the domestic regulation.
Stadium Spending and PSR Regulations
Besides which, stadium development is exempted from PSR assessments; the easiest way to increase revenue to create additional financial headroom would be to expand or renovate the arena. Considering the site of the home ground, with protected structures on two sides, practically that probably implies building an completely new venue. There was talk in March of potentially making the nearby relocation to a local park – opposition from local groups could surely have been surmounted with a commitment to build a replacement green space on the current ground location – but there has been any progress on that plan. There has occurred significant cutbacks from the PIF on a variety of projects as it shifts focus on local investments; the approach to Newcastle appears completely in alignment with that strategic shift.
The Alexander Isak Saga
The star striker episode was arose from that conflict. A bolder management might have framed his sale as necessary to free up capital for further investment; instead there was a unsuccessful attempt to keep him. This resulted in the team began the season amidst a sense of disappointment even with the signings of several new players. The opening was mixed: a single victory in their first six fixtures.
Yet it appeared a turning point had been turned. They secured five victories in six matches prior to the weekend, a streak that featured demolitions of a Belgian side and Benfica in the Champions League. This explains the performance against West Ham was so surprising. The issue perhaps is that Newcastle’s style is extremely intense, high-energy; a slight drop-off in intensity can have significant effects. Maybe the pressure of domestic, European and cup matches, five games in a fortnight, had got to them. The German forward started each of those matches and looked especially weary.
The Nature of Contemporary Soccer
That’s the reality of modern the sport. Coaches must be ready to make changes. Howe has been unfortunate that Wissa’s injury has meant he is lacking attacking options but, no matter how valid the explanations, Sunday’s performance was inexcusable –particularly following scoring first at a ground ready to turn on its own side.
The Newcastle boss will wish it was merely a temporary setback, one of those days when all players is off-colour at once, but if Newcastle are to secure the Champions League next season, let alone eventually mount an actual championship bid, they must not be as unreliable as they have been.
