Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to histrionics or grand media pronouncements. Based on his standards, his press conference after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat qualifies as a angry tirade. Newcastle took an early lead but the opposition were ahead by the interval, as well as hitting the post and seeing a spot-kick revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to execute a three substitutions at the break.
“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. Actually, I cannot recall I have during my tenure as head coach of the club, therefore I believed the team required some shaking up at half-time. That’s why I did what I did.”
Three key players all came off at the interval and the team did stabilise to an extent in the latter period, but never really looking like they could get back into the game against an opponent that had secured just a single victory of their last nine league matches. Considering how packed the centre of the table is, with a mere three-point gap separating third from 11th, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a run of 12 points from 10 games has not placed the Magpies adrift but, equally, they cannot end the campaign in 13th.
The Issue of Expectations
The problem partially is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the club possess the richest owners in the globe. The assumption when the Saudi fund acquired a majority stake of the club in recent years was that it would bring a transformative effect, similar to the former Chelsea owner achieved at Stamford Bridge or Sheikh Mansour did at the Etihad. The difference is that those two investors assumed control before the introduction of FFP rules (and the current allegations against Manchester City relate to whether they violated those guidelines after they were implemented).
Financial regulations restrict the ability of owners, no matter how wealthy, to invest funds on their teams and therefore probably might have slowed every Middle Eastern effort to raise the team to the standard of Manchester City. However it wasn't necessary for the club's expenditure to have been quite as cautious as it has been; they might have invested further and remained within the threshold – or simply taken a relatively meagre Uefa penalty since their major issue is primarily with the continental than the Premier League regulation.
Infrastructure Investment and Financial Rules
Besides which, stadium development is exempted from PSR assessments; the simplest method to increase revenue to generate additional financial headroom would be to extend or renovate the stadium. Considering the location of the home ground, with listed buildings on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies building an completely new stadium. There was talk in spring of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to Leazes Park – opposition from community organizations might have been overcome with a commitment to build a new park on the existing stadium site – but there has been no movement on that plan. There has been significant retrenchment from the PIF on a range of projects as it shifts focus on local investments; the approach to Newcastle seems completely in alignment with that change of approach.
Player Sales Saga
The star striker episode was born of that tension. A more confident management might have framed his sale as essential to release funds for additional spending; instead there was a vain effort to keep him. This resulted in the team started the campaign amid a sense of frustration even with the acquisitions of several new players. The start was mixed: one win in their initial six games.
But it appeared a turning point was reached. They had won five in six before the weekend, a streak that included demolitions of Union Saint-Gilloise and Benfica in the European competition. This explains the performance against the Hammers was such a shock. The problem perhaps is that the team's style is very aggressive, very high-octane; a minor decrease in intensity can have profound effects. Perhaps the pressure of Premier League, Champions League and cup matches, five fixtures in 15 days, had got to them. The German forward featured in each of those games and appeared particularly weary.
The Nature of Contemporary Soccer
This is the reality of modern the sport. Coaches have to be ready to make changes. Howe has been unlucky that the forward's injury has left him lacking attacking options but, no matter how valid the reasons, Sunday’s performance was unacceptable –especially following taking the lead at a stadium primed to criticize its own side.
Howe will wish it was just a blip, one of those days when everybody is below par simultaneously, but if Newcastle are to secure the European competition next season, let alone eventually mount an genuine title challenge, they cannot be as inconsistent as they have been.
