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The Newcastle manager isn't typically given to histrionics or grand media statements. So by his usual demeanor, his press conference following the weekend's 3-1 defeat counts as a furious outburst. His side scored first but the opposition took the lead by half-time, as well as striking the woodwork and seeing a spot-kick revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to make a three substitutions at the break.

“That was the frustrating thing about the first half,” the coach stated. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I believe that was a reflection of where we were at that stage 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 manager of Newcastle, therefore I believed the squad required some shaking up at the break. That’s why I did those decisions.”

Three key players all came off at half-time and the team managed to steady to an extent in the second half, but never appearing like they could fight back into the contest against an opponent that had won only one of their last nine fixtures. Given the congestion the centre of the table currently is, with a mere three-point gap dividing the top spots from mid-table, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a sequence of twelve points from ten matches has not left the Magpies stranded but, similarly, they cannot end the campaign in 13th.

The Problem of Expectations

The problem partially is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle possess the wealthiest owners in the world. The expectation when the Saudi fund acquired 80% of the club in 2021 was that it would bring a transformative effect, as Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group did at the Etihad. The distinction is that those two owners took over before the introduction of FFP rules (while the current charges against Manchester City relate to whether they violated those guidelines once they were implemented).

Profit and sustainability restrictions limit the capacity of owners, however rich, to spend money on their squads and so in that sense probably might have slowed any Saudi attempt to raise Newcastle to the standard of City. But it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s expenditure to have been quite as cautious as it has; they could have invested further and remained within the limit – or just accepted a fairly minor European fine given their major issue is primarily with the European than the domestic rules.

Infrastructure Investment and PSR Regulations

Additionally, stadium development is excluded from Profit and Sustainability assessments; the simplest method to raise income to generate additional financial flexibility would be to expand or renovate the arena. Given the site of the home ground, with protected structures on two sides, in reality that likely means constructing an completely new stadium. There was talk in March of potentially making the short move to a local park – resistance from local groups could surely have been overcome with a promise to build a replacement green space on the existing ground location – but there has been any progress on that plan. There has occurred significant cutbacks from the Saudi fund on a variety of projects as it refocuses on local investments; the approach to Newcastle seems entirely in keeping with that change of approach.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The star striker episode was born of that tension. A bolder leadership could have portrayed his transfer as essential to release funds for further investment; instead there was a vain effort to keep him. This resulted in Newcastle began the season amid a sense of frustration even with the acquisitions of several new players. The opening was mixed: a single victory in their initial six games.

But it seemed a turning point was reached. They secured five in six prior to the weekend, a run that featured demolitions of a Belgian side and Benfica in the Champions League. This explains the display against West Ham was such a shock. The issue maybe is that Newcastle’s approach is extremely intense, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in intensity can have significant effects. Maybe the strain of domestic, Champions League and cup competition, five fixtures in 15 days, had taken its toll. Woltemade started all five games and looked especially fatigued.

The Nature of Contemporary Soccer

That’s the nature of modern football. Managers must be prepared to make changes. Howe has been unfortunate that the forward's fitness issue has left him lacking forward choices but, regardless of how reasonable the reasons, Sunday’s showing was unacceptable –particularly following scoring first at a stadium ready to criticize its own side.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was just a blip, one of those days when everybody is off-colour at once, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, not to mention eventually mount an actual title challenge, they must not be as inconsistent as this.