🔗 Share this article Bewildering and Mesmerizing Newcastle Pursue Answer to End Chaos Followers of the Magpies are progressively viewing Eddie Howe's side as an inconsistent friend. When everything clicks, they can be the very thrill-seekers, unleashing breathtaking exhibitions. But, on other occasions, previously reliable players like Sandro Tonali and his teammates utterly fail to appear. Exacerbating the frustration is a second-half strategy riddled with a worrying element of panic. Ahead of their trip to Manchester United, the statistics reveal a sobering picture: they have let slip 13 crucial top-flight points from winning situations this term and are without a clean sheet in 10 straight matches across all competitions. Claiming three points at their famous stadium would constitute only their second league success on the road this year. A Story of Extremes: Hope Within the Erraticism Conversely, a loss has only come on one occasion in their most recent six league fixtures, and although sitting in a seemingly lowly eleventh position, they remain a only 6 points away from the highly-prized top four. Add in an impending two-part Carabao Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a strong opportunity of advancing to the European Cup last 16, and it becomes easier to see the manager's measured hope. “We don't just have problems,” stated the team's head coach. “There are strengths too. The perspective here is very much positive at present. I realize outside observers may hold a divergent opinion, but my belief is we're getting better.” The challenge remains: can this group recreate – or perhaps surpass – the successes of last season's cup glory and fifth-place standing? Juggling a packed calendar makes this difficult. Fatigue and Tactical Teething Problems The resulting fatigue may account for the inability to uphold a stellar opening 45-minute performance against their London rivals, eventually squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw the game. Likewise, it could be the explanation for a poor display in a damaging loss to arch-rivals the Black Cats, where the side appeared off the pace just days after a demanding European excursion. While coaching is undoubtedly the manager's specialty, the constant grind of two games a week football has radically reduced essential practice hours. This slows the team's tactical evolution to playing with summer signing Nick Woltemade up front, instead of the now departed Alexander Isak. Although extremely gifted, the German forward does not possess the same electric counter-attacking speed or ferocious pressing. In fact, the side's previously effective high press has at times broken down. Fitness issues to crucial engine Joelinton have not helped, while big-money arrivals Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have found it tough settling after their big-money transfers. Shape Dilemmas and Injury Woes If a move to a back three could theoretically assist the cause, a worsening backline injury list makes that problematic. Key full-backs will be absent for the upcoming crucial fixtures, further testing the squad's resilience. When playing at their energetic peak, they seem virtually unplayable. The issue is maintaining that level for the entire 90 minutes. The typical plan B of sitting back into a passive counter-attacking formation has sometimes been self-destructive. “That game descended into chaotic at 2-2,” said the coach. “But the intention was trying to win. We always go out to secure the three points.” The Way Ahead: Practicality What seems required is a balanced approach – one featuring superior ball control, a midfield capable of slowing the pace, and a pragmatic willingness to occasionally accept a point. Yet, a determination to compete on every competitions is stretching thin squad numbers to their limit. This might seem heretical to some, but a more selective strategy in the domestic cups in the initial stages could have eased the current fixture congestion. With vital European & Premier League matches on the horizon, the imperative to carefully choose focus areas is becoming ever more obvious. The manager recognized the size of the journey ahead. “Being involved this club, the expectations are immense. Each game is critical. There is progress to be made in the league. We're in the League Cup semi-finals, we aim to go through in the Europe and perform in the FA Cup. “We're moving in the right direction, but we have lots of work to do to become the regularly successful team we aspire to be. The ability to string together winning runs has eluded us so far. “The challenge is to reach those levels we know we're able to reach. My feeling is that the self-belief to achieve it is growing. Yet now we have to show it. It ain't all bad in this moment, but the coming period will decide a great deal.”
Followers of the Magpies are progressively viewing Eddie Howe's side as an inconsistent friend. When everything clicks, they can be the very thrill-seekers, unleashing breathtaking exhibitions. But, on other occasions, previously reliable players like Sandro Tonali and his teammates utterly fail to appear. Exacerbating the frustration is a second-half strategy riddled with a worrying element of panic. Ahead of their trip to Manchester United, the statistics reveal a sobering picture: they have let slip 13 crucial top-flight points from winning situations this term and are without a clean sheet in 10 straight matches across all competitions. Claiming three points at their famous stadium would constitute only their second league success on the road this year. A Story of Extremes: Hope Within the Erraticism Conversely, a loss has only come on one occasion in their most recent six league fixtures, and although sitting in a seemingly lowly eleventh position, they remain a only 6 points away from the highly-prized top four. Add in an impending two-part Carabao Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a strong opportunity of advancing to the European Cup last 16, and it becomes easier to see the manager's measured hope. “We don't just have problems,” stated the team's head coach. “There are strengths too. The perspective here is very much positive at present. I realize outside observers may hold a divergent opinion, but my belief is we're getting better.” The challenge remains: can this group recreate – or perhaps surpass – the successes of last season's cup glory and fifth-place standing? Juggling a packed calendar makes this difficult. Fatigue and Tactical Teething Problems The resulting fatigue may account for the inability to uphold a stellar opening 45-minute performance against their London rivals, eventually squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw the game. Likewise, it could be the explanation for a poor display in a damaging loss to arch-rivals the Black Cats, where the side appeared off the pace just days after a demanding European excursion. While coaching is undoubtedly the manager's specialty, the constant grind of two games a week football has radically reduced essential practice hours. This slows the team's tactical evolution to playing with summer signing Nick Woltemade up front, instead of the now departed Alexander Isak. Although extremely gifted, the German forward does not possess the same electric counter-attacking speed or ferocious pressing. In fact, the side's previously effective high press has at times broken down. Fitness issues to crucial engine Joelinton have not helped, while big-money arrivals Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have found it tough settling after their big-money transfers. Shape Dilemmas and Injury Woes If a move to a back three could theoretically assist the cause, a worsening backline injury list makes that problematic. Key full-backs will be absent for the upcoming crucial fixtures, further testing the squad's resilience. When playing at their energetic peak, they seem virtually unplayable. The issue is maintaining that level for the entire 90 minutes. The typical plan B of sitting back into a passive counter-attacking formation has sometimes been self-destructive. “That game descended into chaotic at 2-2,” said the coach. “But the intention was trying to win. We always go out to secure the three points.” The Way Ahead: Practicality What seems required is a balanced approach – one featuring superior ball control, a midfield capable of slowing the pace, and a pragmatic willingness to occasionally accept a point. Yet, a determination to compete on every competitions is stretching thin squad numbers to their limit. This might seem heretical to some, but a more selective strategy in the domestic cups in the initial stages could have eased the current fixture congestion. With vital European & Premier League matches on the horizon, the imperative to carefully choose focus areas is becoming ever more obvious. The manager recognized the size of the journey ahead. “Being involved this club, the expectations are immense. Each game is critical. There is progress to be made in the league. We're in the League Cup semi-finals, we aim to go through in the Europe and perform in the FA Cup. “We're moving in the right direction, but we have lots of work to do to become the regularly successful team we aspire to be. The ability to string together winning runs has eluded us so far. “The challenge is to reach those levels we know we're able to reach. My feeling is that the self-belief to achieve it is growing. Yet now we have to show it. It ain't all bad in this moment, but the coming period will decide a great deal.”