Eddie Howe is not given to dramatics or sweeping media statements. Based on his usual demeanor, his media briefing after the weekend's 3-1 defeat qualifies as a furious tirade. Newcastle scored first but the opposition were ahead by half-time, as well as striking the woodwork and seeing a spot-kick revoked by VAR, leading Howe to execute a three substitutions at the break.
“The opening period was particularly irritating,” Howe stated. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of our performance level in that moment in the game and it’s very, very rare for me to feel that way. Actually, I cannot recall I have since I’ve been head coach of the club, so I felt the squad required some shaking up at half-time. That’s why I did what I did.”
Three key players all came off at half-time and the team managed to steady somewhat in the latter period, but never really looking like they might fight back into the contest against an opponent that had won only one of their previous nine fixtures. Given how packed the centre of the table currently is, with a mere three-point gap separating third from 11th, and nine points between second and 17th, a run of 12 points from ten matches has not left Newcastle stranded but, equally, they must not finish the season in 13th.
The Problem of Perception
The problem to an extent is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the club have the wealthiest backers in the world. The expectation at the time the Saudi fund bought 80% of the team in recent years was that it would bring a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich had at Chelsea or Sheikh Mansour had at Manchester City. The difference is that those two investors took over prior to the introduction of financial fair play rules (while the current allegations against City relate to whether they violated those regulations once they were in place).
Financial regulations limit the ability of proprietors, no matter how wealthy, to invest funds on their squads and so in that sense likely might have slowed any Saudi attempt to raise Newcastle to the standard of City. However it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s spending to have been so restrained as it has been; they might have spent more and stayed inside the threshold – or just accepted a relatively meagre European fine since their major problem is primarily with the European than the domestic regulation.
Infrastructure Spending and PSR Regulations
Besides which, infrastructure spending is excluded from Profit and Sustainability assessments; the simplest method to increase revenue to generate more financial flexibility would be to extend or renovate the stadium. Given the location of the home ground, with protected structures on multiple sides, practically that probably means constructing an entirely new venue. Rumors circulated in March of potentially undertaking the nearby relocation to Leazes Park – opposition from local groups might have been overcome with a promise to build a new park on the existing stadium site – but there has not been no movement on that proposal. There has been substantial cutbacks from the PIF on a variety of projects as it refocuses on local investments; the attitude to Newcastle seems completely in keeping with that change of approach.
Player Sales Saga
The star striker saga was arose from that tension. A bolder management might have portrayed his transfer as necessary to release capital for further spending; rather there was a vain attempt to keep him. That meant the team began the season amid a feeling of disappointment even with the signings of several new players. The start was indifferent: one win in their first six games.
But it appeared a turning point had been turned. They secured five victories in six matches prior to Sunday, a streak that featured demolitions of a Belgian side and Benfica in the European competition. That’s why the performance against West Ham was so surprising. The problem maybe is that Newcastle’s style is extremely intense, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in energy can have profound effects. Maybe the strain of Premier League, European and Carabao Cup competition, five games in a fortnight, had taken its toll. Woltemade started each of those games and looked particularly weary.
The Nature of Contemporary Soccer
This is the reality of modern football. Managers must be ready to rotate. Howe has been unlucky that Wissa’s fitness issue has meant he is lacking forward choices but, regardless of how reasonable the explanations, Sunday’s showing was inexcusable –especially after taking the lead at a stadium ready to turn on its home team.
Howe will hope it was just a blip, one of those days when all players is off-colour at once, but if Newcastle are to qualify for the European competition next season, not to mention eventually mount an genuine championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as they have been.
