Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to histrionics or sweeping media statements. Based on his standards, his press conference after the weekend's 3-1 defeat counts as a furious outburst. His side scored first but the opposition were ahead by half-time, while also striking the woodwork and seeing a spot-kick overturned by VAR, leading Howe to make a three substitutions at the break.
“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of where we were in that moment in the game and it’s very, very rare for me to have that impression. In fact, I cannot recall I have during my tenure as head coach of the club, therefore I believed the squad needed some shaking up at half-time. This explains why I made what I did.”
Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Emil Krafth all came off at the interval and the team managed to steady somewhat in the latter period, but never really looking like they might get back into the contest against an opponent that had secured just a single victory of their last nine fixtures. Given the congestion the middle of the standings is, with just three points dividing third from 11th, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a run of 12 points from 10 games has not left Newcastle stranded but, similarly, they cannot end the campaign in thirteenth place.
The problem partially is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle have the richest owners in the world. The assumption at the time the PIF bought a majority stake of the team in recent years was that it would bring a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich had at Chelsea or Sheikh Mansour did at the Etihad. The difference is that those two owners assumed control prior to the advent of financial fair play regulations (while the current allegations against City concern whether they breached those regulations once they were in place).
Profit and sustainability restrictions limit the capacity of proprietors, however rich, to invest funds on their teams and so in that sense probably might have slowed every Middle Eastern effort to elevate the team to the level of Manchester City. However it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s expenditure to have been so restrained as it has; they might have invested further and remained within the limit – or simply taken a relatively meagre Uefa penalty given their big problem is primarily with the continental than the domestic rules.
Additionally, stadium development is exempted from Profit and Sustainability assessments; the easiest method to increase revenue to create more PSR flexibility would be to extend or redevelop the stadium. Considering the location of St James’ Park, with listed buildings on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies constructing an completely new venue. There was talk in March of potentially making the short move to a local park – opposition from local groups could surely have been overcome with a promise to create a replacement green space on the current stadium site – but there has been any progress on that plan. There has occurred significant retrenchment from the Saudi fund on a range of initiatives as it shifts focus on domestic affairs; the approach to the football club seems completely in keeping with that change of approach.
The star striker saga was born of that conflict. A bolder leadership might have portrayed his sale as essential to release capital for further spending; rather there was a vain effort to retain him. This resulted in Newcastle began the season amid a sense of frustration despite the acquisitions of several new players. The opening was indifferent: one win in their first six fixtures.
Yet it seemed a turning point was reached. They had won five in six before Sunday, a streak that included convincing wins of Union Saint-Gilloise and a Portuguese club in the Champions League. 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 minor decrease in energy can have profound effects. Maybe the strain of Premier League, Champions League and cup matches, five fixtures in a fortnight, had got to them. Woltemade started each of those matches and appeared particularly weary.
This is the reality of modern the sport. Coaches have to be prepared to rotate. The manager has been unlucky that the forward's injury has meant he is short of attacking options but, no matter how reasonable the reasons, the weekend's performance was inexcusable –particularly following scoring first at a stadium ready to turn on its home team.
Howe will hope it was just a blip, one of those days when everybody is off-colour at once, but if Newcastle are to qualify for the Champions League next season, not to mention one day launch an genuine title challenge, they cannot be as unreliable as they have been.
Lena Hoffmann is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, specializing in German current affairs and digital media trends.
