🔗 Share this article

The Newcastle manager isn't typically given to histrionics or grand public pronouncements. So by his usual demeanor, his media briefing following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat counts as a furious tirade. Newcastle took an early lead but the opposition took the lead by half-time, as well as hitting the post and seeing a spot-kick overturned by VAR, prompting Howe to execute a triple change at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” Howe said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of our performance level at that stage in the game and it's extremely uncommon for me to have that impression. In fact, I cannot recall having done so since I’ve been manager of the club, therefore I believed the team required a significant change at the break. This explains why I made those decisions.”

Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Emil Krafth were substituted at half-time and the team managed to steady somewhat in the latter period, but never really looking like they could fight back into the game against a side that had won only one of their previous nine league matches. Considering how packed the middle of the standings is, with just three points separating third from 11th, and nine points between second and 17th, a run of twelve points from 10 games has not left the Magpies stranded but, similarly, they must not end the campaign in thirteenth place.

The Problem of Perception

The problem to an extent is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle possess the wealthiest backers in the world. The expectation when the PIF bought 80% of the club in recent years was that it would have a game-changing impact, as Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group had at Manchester City. The distinction is that both of those owners took over before the advent of financial fair play rules (and the ongoing charges against Manchester City concern whether they breached those guidelines once they were implemented).

Financial regulations restrict the ability of proprietors, no matter how wealthy, to invest funds on their squads and therefore probably would have slowed any Middle Eastern effort to raise the team to the standard of City. But it wasn't necessary for the club's spending to have been quite as cautious as it has been; they could have invested further and remained within the limit – or simply taken a relatively meagre European fine since their big problem is primarily with the European than the Premier League regulation.

Stadium Investment and Financial Rules

Additionally, stadium development is exempted from PSR assessments; the simplest way to raise income to generate additional PSR headroom would be to extend or redevelop the arena. Given the site of St James’ Park, with protected structures on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies constructing an entirely new venue. There was talk in spring of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to a local park – resistance from local groups could surely have been surmounted with a promise to create a replacement green space on the existing stadium site – but there has not been no movement on that proposal. There has occurred substantial cutbacks from the PIF on a range of projects as it refocuses on domestic affairs; the approach to Newcastle seems entirely in keeping with that strategic shift.

The Alexander Isak Saga

The Alexander Isak episode was arose from that tension. A more confident management might have portrayed his sale as essential to release funds for further investment; instead there was a vain attempt to keep him. That meant Newcastle started the campaign amidst a feeling of frustration even with the signings of several new players. The opening was indifferent: one win in their first six games.

But it appeared a turning point had been turned. They secured five in six prior to Sunday, a run that featured demolitions of a Belgian side and Benfica in the European competition. This explains the display against West Ham was so surprising. The problem maybe is that the team's style is extremely intense, high-energy; a slight drop-off in intensity can have profound consequences. Maybe the strain of Premier League, European and cup matches, five games in a fortnight, had taken its toll. Woltemade featured in each of those games and looked particularly fatigued.

The Nature of Contemporary Football

That’s the nature of today's football. Coaches have to be prepared to make changes. Howe has been unlucky that Wissa’s injury has left him lacking attacking options but, no matter how valid the reasons, the weekend's showing was unacceptable –especially after scoring first at a stadium ready to criticize its own side.

Howe will hope it was merely a temporary setback, an off-day when all players is below par at once, but if Newcastle are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, not to mention eventually launch an genuine championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as this.