🔗 Share this article

The Newcastle manager isn't typically given to dramatics or grand media pronouncements. So by his usual demeanor, his press conference following Sunday’s loss to West Ham counts as a angry outburst. Newcastle took an early lead but the opposition were ahead by the interval, as well as hitting the post and having a penalty revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to execute a three substitutions at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach stated. “Virtually any player could have been substituted and I believe that was a reflection of where we were at that stage in the game and it's extremely uncommon for me to feel that way. In fact, I cannot recall having done so since I’ve been manager of Newcastle, so I felt the squad required some shaking up at the break. That’s why I made those decisions.”

Three key players were substituted at half-time and the team did stabilise to an extent in the latter period, without ever appearing like they could get back into the contest against a side that had secured just a single victory of their last nine fixtures. Considering how packed the middle of the table currently is, with a mere three-point gap dividing third from 11th, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a sequence of twelve points from 10 games has not placed the Magpies adrift but, similarly, they cannot finish the season in thirteenth place.

The Problem of Expectations

The challenge partially is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the club possess the richest backers in the world. The assumption when the Saudi fund acquired a majority stake of the team in 2021 was that it would bring a game-changing impact, as the former Chelsea owner achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group did at the Etihad. The difference is that both of those owners took over before the introduction of FFP rules (and the current allegations against Manchester City concern if they violated those guidelines after they were in place).

Financial restrictions restrict the capacity of proprietors, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their squads and therefore likely would have slowed every Middle Eastern attempt to elevate 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 might have invested further and stayed inside the threshold – or simply taken a fairly minor Uefa fine given their major issue is primarily with the continental than the domestic regulation.

Stadium Investment and Financial Rules

Besides which, stadium development is exempted from PSR calculations; the simplest way to raise income to generate more financial flexibility would be to extend or redevelop the stadium. Given the site of St James’ Park, with protected structures on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies building an entirely new stadium. Rumors circulated in spring of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to Leazes Park – opposition from local groups might have been surmounted with a commitment to build a new park on the existing stadium site – but there has not been any progress on that plan. There has been substantial retrenchment from the Saudi fund on a range of projects as it shifts focus on domestic affairs; the approach to the football club seems entirely in keeping with that strategic shift.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The Alexander Isak episode was arose from that tension. A bolder management might have framed his sale as necessary to free up funds for further investment; instead there was a unsuccessful attempt to keep him. This resulted in the team started the campaign amidst a feeling of disappointment despite the signings of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The opening was indifferent: one win in their initial six fixtures.

Yet it seemed a turning point was reached. They had won five victories in six matches before Sunday, a streak that included convincing wins of a Belgian side and Benfica in the European competition. This explains the performance against the Hammers was so surprising. The problem perhaps is that Newcastle’s style is extremely intense, high-energy; a minor decrease in intensity can have profound effects. Perhaps the pressure of Premier League, Champions League and cup matches, five games in 15 days, had got to them. Woltemade started each of those matches and looked especially weary.

The Nature of Contemporary Soccer

That’s the nature of today's the sport. Managers have to be prepared to rotate. Howe has been unlucky that Wissa’s fitness issue has meant he is short of attacking options but, regardless of how valid the explanations, Sunday’s showing was inexcusable –particularly after taking the lead at a ground ready to criticize its own side.

Howe will wish it was merely a temporary setback, an off-day when all players is off-colour at once, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the European competition next season, let alone eventually launch an actual title challenge, they cannot be as inconsistent as this.