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The Newcastle manager isn't typically prone to dramatics or grand media pronouncements. Based on his usual demeanor, his press conference following Sunday’s loss to West Ham counts as a angry outburst. His side scored first but West Ham were ahead by the interval, as well as hitting the post and having a penalty revoked by VAR, leading Howe to make a triple change at the break.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach said. “Virtually any player could have been substituted and I believe this indicated of where we were in that moment in the game and it’s very, very rare for me to have that impression. Actually, I cannot recall having done so during my tenure as head coach of the club, so I felt the squad needed some shaking up at the break. That’s why I made those decisions.”

Three key players were substituted at half-time and Newcastle did stabilise somewhat in the latter period, without ever appearing like they might get back into the game against a side that had won only one of their previous nine league matches. Given how packed the middle of the standings currently is, with a mere three-point gap separating the top spots from mid-table, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a run of 12 points from ten matches has not placed Newcastle stranded but, similarly, they cannot finish the season in 13th.

The Problem of Expectations

The problem to an extent is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle have the richest backers in the world. The expectation at the time the Saudi fund bought 80% of the club in 2021 was that it would have a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group did at the Etihad. The distinction is that those two investors took over before the introduction of financial fair play regulations (while the ongoing allegations against Manchester City relate to if they breached those regulations after they were in place).

Financial restrictions limit the capacity of owners, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their teams and therefore likely would have slowed every Middle Eastern effort to elevate the team to the standard of Manchester City. However there is no need for Newcastle’s spending to have been quite as cautious as it has; they could have spent more and remained within the threshold – or simply taken a fairly minor Uefa fine given their big issue is more with the continental than the domestic regulation.

Stadium Investment and PSR Rules

Additionally, stadium development is exempted from Profit and Sustainability calculations; the easiest way to raise income to generate more financial flexibility would be to expand or redevelop the stadium. Considering the location of St James’ Park, with protected structures on two sides, practically that probably implies building an entirely new venue. Rumors circulated in spring of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to Leazes Park – opposition from local groups might have been overcome with a commitment to build a replacement green space on the existing stadium site – but there has not been no movement on that proposal. There has occurred substantial cutbacks from the Saudi fund on a range of initiatives as it refocuses on domestic affairs; the attitude to the football club seems completely in keeping with that strategic shift.

Player Sales Saga

The Alexander Isak saga was arose from that conflict. A more confident management might have portrayed his sale as essential to release capital for further investment; instead there was a vain effort to retain him. That meant the team began the season amidst a feeling of disappointment despite the signings of several new players. The start was mixed: one win in their first six fixtures.

Yet it appeared a turning point had been turned. They had won five in six before the weekend, a run that featured demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the Champions League. That’s why the display against the Hammers was so surprising. The issue perhaps is that Newcastle’s approach is extremely intense, very high-octane; a minor decrease in intensity can have profound effects. Maybe the pressure of Premier League, Champions League and cup competition, five fixtures in 15 days, had got to them. Woltemade featured in all five matches and looked especially fatigued.

Reality of Contemporary Soccer

That’s the reality of modern the sport. Managers must be prepared to rotate. Howe has been unlucky that Wissa’s injury has meant he is lacking attacking options but, regardless of how reasonable the explanations, the weekend's showing was inexcusable –particularly following taking the lead at a stadium primed to criticize its home team.

Howe will wish it was merely a temporary setback, an off-day when all players is off-colour simultaneously, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the European competition next season, let alone eventually launch an actual championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as they have been.