🔗 Share this article

Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to histrionics or sweeping public statements. So by his standards, his press conference following Sunday’s loss to West Ham counts as a angry tirade. His side took an early lead but the opposition were ahead by the interval, while also hitting the post and seeing a spot-kick revoked by VAR, leading Howe to make a three substitutions at the half-time.

“That was the frustrating thing about the first half,” the coach said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I believe that was a reflection of where we were in that moment in the game and it's extremely uncommon for me to have that impression. In fact, I cannot recall having done so during my tenure as manager of Newcastle, therefore I believed the team needed a significant change at half-time. This explains why I made what I did.”

Three key players all came off at half-time and Newcastle did stabilise to an extent in the latter period, without ever appearing like they might get back into the contest against a side that had secured just a single victory of their previous nine fixtures. Given the congestion the centre of the table is, with just three points separating third from 11th, and nine points between second and 17th, a sequence of twelve points from 10 games has not left the Magpies stranded but, equally, they must not end the campaign in 13th.

The Problem of Expectations

The problem to an extent is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle have the wealthiest backers in the globe. The expectation at the time the PIF bought 80% of the team in recent years was that it would bring a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group had at Manchester City. The difference is that those two owners took over before the introduction of financial fair play rules (and the ongoing charges against City concern if they violated those guidelines after they were in place).

Profit and sustainability restrictions limit the ability of owners, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their squads and therefore likely would have hindered any Saudi effort to raise the team to the level of City. However it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s expenditure to have been so restrained as it has; they could have invested further and remained within the threshold – or just accepted a relatively meagre European penalty since their big problem is more with the European than the domestic rules.

Infrastructure Spending and PSR Regulations

Besides which, stadium development is excluded from Profit and Sustainability calculations; the simplest way to increase revenue to generate more financial flexibility would be to expand or redevelop the arena. Considering the site of the home ground, with protected structures on multiple sides, practically that probably implies building an entirely new stadium. Rumors circulated in spring of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to a local park – opposition from community organizations might have been overcome with a commitment to build a new park on the current ground location – but there has not been no movement on that proposal. There has occurred significant retrenchment from the PIF on a variety of initiatives as it refocuses on domestic affairs; the approach to the football club seems completely in alignment with that strategic shift.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The Alexander Isak saga was born of that conflict. A bolder management could have framed his transfer as necessary to free up funds for additional spending; instead there was a vain attempt to retain him. That meant Newcastle started the campaign amidst a feeling of frustration even with the signings of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The opening was indifferent: one win in their first six games.

Yet it seemed a corner was reached. They secured five victories in six matches prior to the weekend, a run that included demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the Champions League. That’s why the display against West Ham was such a shock. The problem perhaps is that Newcastle’s approach is extremely intense, very high-octane; a minor decrease in energy can have significant effects. Perhaps the strain of domestic, Champions League and Carabao Cup competition, five games in a fortnight, had got to them. Woltemade featured in each of those games and looked particularly weary.

The Nature of Contemporary Soccer

This is the nature of modern football. Coaches have to be prepared to make changes. The manager has been unfortunate that the forward's injury has meant he is lacking attacking options but, no matter how valid the reasons, Sunday’s showing was unacceptable –especially following taking the lead at a ground primed to criticize its own side.

Howe will wish it was just a blip, an off-day when everybody is below par at once, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, let alone eventually mount an actual championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as this.