Supporters of Newcastle United are more and more regarding the team's outfit as a fickle friend. At their brilliant best, they can be the very thrill-seekers, producing breathtaking displays. Yet, on other occasions, once-dependable individuals like Sandro Tonali and others completely go missing.
Exacerbating these problems is a late-game approach riddled with a pronounced element of chaos. Ahead of their holiday fixture to Manchester United, the facts reveal a concerning story: they have squandered 13 precious Premier League leverage from winning situations this season and are without a clean sheet in ten consecutive games across all competitions. Securing a win at Old Trafford would represent only their second domestic success on the road this year.
Conversely, a loss has been tasted on one occasion in their previous six league encounters, and despite sitting in a seemingly lowly eleventh place, they remain a only six marks behind the coveted top four. Add in an impending two-legged Carabao Cup last-four clash against Manchester City and a strong opportunity of advancing to the European Cup last 16, and it is easier to see the manager's guarded hope.
“Our issues aren't limited to issues,” remarked the club's manager. “You can see strengths as well. The perspective here is very much positive right now. I know others may hold a different take, but in my view we are making progress.”
The question persists: will this group match – or even surpass – the achievements of last season's cup glory and fifth-place standing? Juggling a hectic calendar makes this difficult.
This heavy-leggedness might explain the inability to sustain a stellar opening 45-minute performance against Chelsea, eventually letting slip a two-goal advantage to tie the game. Similarly, it is possibly the explanation for a subdued display in a damaging loss to arch-rivals Sunderland, where the team appeared sluggish just days after a tough Champions League excursion.
Although coaching is clearly Howe's specialty, the constant grind of two games a week matches has severely cut into crucial practice hours. This hinders the squad's tactical adjustment to playing with summer signing their number nine up front, instead of the now departed Alexander Isak. Although hugely gifted, Woltemade does not possess the same searing breakaway speed or relentless defensive work rate.
In fact, the side's signature high press has occasionally malfunctioned. Injuries to key engine Joelinton have exacerbated matters, while expensive signings the Swedish winger and the English midfielder have had difficulties settling after their substantial transfers.
While a move to a 3-5-2 might theoretically benefit the team, a full-blown defensive injury crisis makes that difficult. Key full-backs will be unavailable for the upcoming key fixtures, straining the squad's resilience.
At their ferocious best, they look almost unplayable. The problem is sustaining that level for the full match. The go-to alternative approach of dropping deep into a passive defensive formation has at times been counterproductive.
“That game became chaotic at two-all,” conceded the coach. “But we were going for the victory. Our mentality is to always go out to secure the three points.”
What seems required is a middle ground – involving superior ball retention, a engine room adept of slowing the pace, and a pragmatic readiness to sometimes accept a point. Yet, a desire to challenge on every competitions is testing limited squad options to their limit.
It may appear unthinkable to some, but a more selective strategy in the cup competitions earlier could have alleviated the present schedule pile-up. With vital Champions League & Premier League matches on the agenda, the imperative to strategically choose focus areas is becoming ever more obvious.
The manager recognized the size of the challenge remaining. “Being involved a club of this size, the demands are immense. Every moment's critical. There is progress to be made in the Premier League. We are in the Carabao Cup last four, we aim to progress in the Champions League and do well in the FA Cup.
“We're moving in the correct path, but we have lots of improvement to do to transform into the consistently winning team we aspire to be. Our capacity to put sequences of victories has eluded us so far.
“The objective is to reach those levels we know we're capable of. The internal belief is that the self-belief to do that is returning. But now we have to prove it. It's not all doom and gloom right now, but the next few weeks will shape a great deal.”
Elena Vance is a digital strategist and creative director with over a decade of experience in transforming brands through innovative design.