Bewildering & Bewitching The Magpies Seek Answer to Curb Turmoil
Fans of the Tyneside club are more and more viewing Eddie Howe's side as a fickle friend. When everything clicks, they can be the very life of the party, producing breathtaking exhibitions. However, in other matches, previously reliable individuals like Sandro Tonali and others simply fail to appear.
Compounding these problems is a second-half strategy riddled with a distinct streak of panic. Before their trip to Manchester United, the numbers reveal a sobering picture: the team has let slip thirteen crucial Premier League leverage from winning positions this term and are without a clean sheet in ten straight games across all competitions. Claiming victory at their famous stadium would represent only their second-ever league triumph on the road this season.
A Story of Extremes: Optimism Within the Inconsistency
On the flip side, a loss has been tasted once in their last six Premier League fixtures, and despite occupying a modest 11th position, they remain a only six points away from the highly-prized top four. Add in an looming two-legged League Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a strong prospect of moving on to the European Cup knockout phase, and it is easier to see the manager's guarded hope.
“It's not only about difficulties,” remarked the team's manager. “There are strengths also. My glass is decidedly positive currently. I know others may hold a divergent opinion, but in my view we are getting better.”
The puzzle is: will this collection of players match – or perhaps exceed – the heights of the previous campaign's cup glory and fifth-place finish? Managing a congested schedule makes this difficult.
Weariness and Strategic Teething Problems
The resulting heavy-leggedness could be the reason behind the failure to uphold a brilliant opening 45-minute showing versus Chelsea, ultimately squandering a two-goal advantage to tie the game. Likewise, it is possibly the reason for a poor performance in a painful loss to local rivals Sunderland, where the side seemed off the pace just a short time after a grueling European excursion.
While coaching is undoubtedly Howe's strength, the constant schedule of two games a week matches has radically limited essential coaching time. This hinders the team's tactical adjustment to operating with new striker their number nine up front, rather than the departed Alexander Isak. While immensely skilled, Woltemade does not possess the same searing counter-attacking pace or relentless pressing.
Indeed, the side's signature pressing game has at times malfunctioned. Fitness issues to crucial cog Joelinton have not helped, while big-money signings Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have had difficulties settling after their big-money transfers.
Formation Dilemmas and Injury Woes
If a switch to a 3-5-2 could arguably benefit the cause, a full-blown backline injury list makes that difficult. First-choice defenders will be unavailable for the next key fixtures, straining the team's depth.
At their energetic peak, they look almost unstoppable. The catch is sustaining that fervor for the full match. The typical plan B of sitting back into a deep-lying defensive formation has at times proven self-destructive.
“The Chelsea game became anarchic at two-all,” conceded the coach. “However we were trying to win. Our mentality is to always go out to secure the three points.”
The Way Ahead: Practicality
What seems called for is a balanced approach – one featuring superior ball retention, a midfield adept of controlling the pace, and a pragmatic willingness to occasionally accept a draw. Yet, a ambition to challenge on every competitions is pushing thin squad resources to their limit.
This might seem sacrilegious to some, but a different strategy in the cup competitions earlier could have eased the current fixture pile-up. With critical Champions League & league matches on the horizon, the need to carefully choose focus areas is becoming increasingly obvious.
The manager recognized the size of the challenge ahead. “When you're involved a club of this size, the demands are immense. Each game is pivotal. We have work to do in the league. We are in the League Cup semi-finals, we want to progress in the Europe and do well in the FA Cup.
“The direction is in the correct path, but we have a great deal of work to do to become the consistently successful side we want to be. Our capacity to string together winning runs has escaped us this season.
“The challenge is to reach those levels we are aware we're capable of. I believe that the confidence to achieve it is returning. But now we have to prove it. It ain't all doom and gloom currently, but the next few weeks will decide much.”