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Eddie Howe is not prone to dramatics or grand media pronouncements. So by his standards, his press conference following the weekend's loss to West Ham qualifies as a angry tirade. Newcastle took an early lead but the opposition were ahead by half-time, as well as striking the woodwork and having a penalty revoked by VAR, leading Howe to make a three substitutions at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” Howe stated. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of our performance level at that stage during the match and it’s very, very rare for me to feel that way. Actually, I cannot recall I have since I’ve been manager of Newcastle, therefore I believed the team needed a significant change at half-time. That’s why I did those decisions.”

Three key players were substituted at the interval and Newcastle did stabilise to an extent in the latter period, without ever really looking like they could fight back into the contest against an opponent that had secured just a single victory of their last nine fixtures. Considering the congestion the middle of the table currently is, with just three points separating third from 11th, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a sequence of twelve points from 10 games has not placed the Magpies stranded but, similarly, they cannot end the campaign in 13th.

The Issue of Perception

The challenge to an extent is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle possess the wealthiest backers in the globe. The assumption when the PIF bought a majority stake of the club in 2021 was that it would have a transformative effect, similar to the former Chelsea owner had at Chelsea or the City Group had at Manchester City. The difference is that both of those investors assumed control prior to the advent of FFP regulations (and the ongoing charges against Manchester City concern if they breached those regulations once they were implemented).

Financial restrictions limit the ability of owners, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their teams and so in that sense likely might 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 been; they might have invested further and stayed inside the limit – or simply taken a fairly minor European penalty given their major problem is primarily with the continental than the Premier League rules.

Infrastructure Investment and PSR Regulations

Additionally, infrastructure spending is exempted from Profit and Sustainability assessments; the simplest method to raise income to generate more financial flexibility would be to expand or redevelop the stadium. Given the site of St James’ Park, with protected structures on multiple sides, in reality that likely means constructing an entirely new stadium. Rumors circulated in March of potentially undertaking the nearby relocation to a local park – resistance from local groups could surely have been overcome with a commitment to create a replacement green space on the existing ground location – but there has been no movement on that plan. There has occurred significant retrenchment from the Saudi fund on a variety of projects as it shifts focus on local investments; the attitude to the football club seems completely in keeping with that change of approach.

Player Sales Saga

The star striker episode was born of that conflict. A more confident management could have portrayed his transfer as necessary to free up capital for further spending; instead there was a vain effort to keep him. That meant the team started the campaign amidst a feeling of disappointment even with the signings of several new players. The start was mixed: a single victory in their initial six games.

But it appeared a turning point had been turned. They had won five in six before Sunday, a run that included demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the European competition. That’s why the performance against the Hammers was such a shock. The issue maybe is that the team's style is extremely intense, high-energy; a minor decrease in energy can have profound consequences. Perhaps the pressure of domestic, Champions League and Carabao Cup matches, five fixtures in a fortnight, had taken its toll. Woltemade featured in each of those games and appeared especially fatigued.

Reality of Contemporary Football

This is the reality of modern the sport. Coaches have to be prepared to make changes. The manager has been unfortunate that Wissa’s injury has meant he is short of attacking options but, regardless of how valid the reasons, Sunday’s showing was inexcusable –especially after taking the lead at a ground primed to turn on its own side.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was merely a temporary setback, one of those days when all players is below par at once, but if the Magpies are to secure the European competition next season, let alone eventually launch an actual championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as this.