Supporters of Newcastle United are more and more viewing the team's side as an unreliable friend. When everything clicks, they prove to be the very thrill-seekers, delivering breathtaking displays. However, on other occasions, previously reliable figures like their midfield linchpin and others utterly do not show up.
Exacerbating this issue is a late-game game management suffused by a worrying tendency of disorganization. Ahead of their Boxing Day to Old Trafford, the facts reveal a troubling story: the team has dropped thirteen vital Premier League points from leading situations this term and are without a shutout in ten consecutive outings in every tournament. Earning victory at Old Trafford would represent only their second domestic success on the road this season.
Conversely, defeat has been tasted on one occasion in their previous six Premier League encounters, and although sitting in a modest eleventh spot, they are a only six marks off the coveted top four. Factor in an impending two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City and a reasonable chance of advancing to the Champions League knockout phase, and it is easier to see the manager's measured optimism.
“We don't just have difficulties,” stated the team's manager. “You can see positives too. I am firmly optimistic currently. I realize others could have a different opinion, but in my view we're getting better.”
The question is: will this collection of players recreate – or perhaps eclipse – the achievements of last season's cup glory and European-qualifying standing? Balancing a packed fixture list makes this difficult.
The resulting heavy-leggedness may account for the inability to uphold a stellar first-half showing versus their London rivals, ultimately surrendering a two-goal lead to draw the game. Similarly, it is possibly the explanation for a lackluster display in a damaging defeat to local rivals the Black Cats, where the team looked off the pace just a short time after a demanding European excursion.
While coaching is clearly Howe's forte, the relentless schedule of twice-weekly football has radically limited essential coaching hours. This hinders the squad's tactical adjustment to playing with summer signing their number nine leading the line, instead of the now departed their former star. While immensely talented, the German forward has not shown the same searing counter-attacking speed or relentless defensive work rate.
Indeed, the side's signature pressing game has at times malfunctioned. Fitness issues to crucial cog Joelinton have exacerbated matters, while expensive arrivals Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have struggled settling since their combined £90m+ moves.
While a change to a back three could arguably help the cause, a severe defensive injury list makes that difficult. Important full-backs will be unavailable for the next key matches, challenging the team's resilience.
When playing at their energetic best, they appear virtually unplayable. The problem is maintaining that fervor for the entire match. The typical plan B of sitting back into a passive counter-attacking formation has sometimes been counterproductive.
“That match descended into disorganized at 2-2,” conceded the manager. “But the intention was going for the victory. Our mentality is to always try to win.”
What seems required is a pragmatic solution – involving superior ball retention, a engine room capable of controlling the pace, and a realistic readiness to occasionally accept a point. Yet, a determination to challenge on all competitions is testing limited squad numbers to their breaking point.
This might appear unthinkable to some, but a different approach in the cup competitions earlier could have eased the present fixture pile-up. With critical Champions League and Premier League matches on the agenda, the imperative to strategically prioritize is becoming ever more clear.
The manager acknowledged the scale of the task ahead. “When you're at a club of this size, the demands are enormous. Each game is critical. We have work to do in the league. We are in the League Cup semi-finals, we want to go through in the Champions League and perform in the FA Cup.
“We're moving in the right direction, but we have a great deal of improvement to do to transform into the consistently winning side we want to be. Our capacity to put winning runs has deserted us this season.
“The objective is to attain those levels we know we're able to reach. I believe that the assurance we can do that is coming back. But now we have to prove it. It's not all bad currently, but the coming period will decide a lot.”
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