Supporters of the Magpies are increasingly viewing Eddie Howe's outfit as an unreliable friend. When everything clicks, they transform into the very thrill-seekers, unleashing high-octane performances. However, in other matches, previously reliable players like Sandro Tonali and his teammates simply do not show up.
Compounding these problems is a second-half strategy riddled with a pronounced tendency of panic. Ahead of their holiday fixture to Old Trafford, the numbers reveal a troubling picture: the team has squandered thirteen crucial Premier League points from leading situations this term and are without a clean sheet in 10 consecutive outings in every tournament. Earning three points at Old Trafford would constitute only their second domestic triumph on the road this year.
In contrast, a loss has been tasted on one occasion in their last six league encounters, and although occupying a modest 11th spot, they remain a mere 6 marks off the coveted Champions League places. Consider an looming two-part League Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a strong chance of progressing to the European Cup knockout phase, and it is simpler to understand the gaffer's guarded positivity.
“We don't just have problems,” said the club's manager. “We have positives too. I am very much half full at present. I realize others could have a opposing opinion, but I feel we're getting better.”
The question is: will this group match – or perhaps surpass – the successes of last season's cup glory and fifth-place standing? Juggling a packed fixture list makes this difficult.
The resulting fatigue may explain the failure to maintain a brilliant opening 45-minute showing against their London rivals, ultimately squandering a two-goal advantage to tie the game. Likewise, it is possibly the culprit for a subdued performance in a painful loss to arch-rivals the Black Cats, where the side looked off the pace just days after a demanding Champions League excursion.
While coaching is undoubtedly Howe's forte, the constant schedule of twice-weekly football has radically reduced crucial practice time. This impedes the squad's stylistic evolution to playing with summer signing their number nine leading the line, rather than the departed Alexander Isak. Although hugely gifted, the German forward does not possess the equivalent searing breakaway speed or ferocious pressing.
In fact, the side's signature pressing game has at times failed. Injuries to key engine Joelinton have exacerbated matters, while big-money arrivals the Swedish winger and Jacob Ramsey have found it tough settling after their substantial moves.
If a move to a three-man defense could theoretically benefit the team, a severe backline injury list renders that problematic. First-choice defenders will be absent for the upcoming key matches, challenging the squad's depth.
When playing at their ferocious best, they look almost unplayable. The problem is maintaining that fervor for the full match. The often-seen alternative approach of dropping deep into a passive defensive shape has sometimes proven self-destructive.
“The Chelsea match descended into anarchic at two-all,” conceded the manager. “But we were trying to win. We always go out to win.”
What appears required is a pragmatic solution – one featuring better ball control, a midfield adept of dictating the pace, and a realistic willingness to sometimes accept a point. Yet, a ambition to challenge on every competitions is stretching limited player options to their breaking point.
It may appear sacrilegious to some, but a different strategy in the cup competitions in the initial stages could have alleviated the present fixture congestion. Amid vital Champions League & Premier League matches on the horizon, the imperative to carefully prioritize is growing increasingly obvious.
Eddie Howe acknowledged the size of the task ahead. “Being at this club, the pressures are enormous. Every moment's crucial. We have work to do in the league. We are in the League Cup last four, we want to progress in the Champions League and do well in the FA Cup.
“We're moving in the correct path, but we have plenty of improvement to do to transform into the regularly successful side we aspire to be. The ability to put sequences of victories has eluded us this season.
“The objective is to hit those levels we know we're able to reach. I believe that the assurance to achieve it is growing. But nowadays we have to prove it. It's not all doom and gloom in this moment, but the next few weeks will decide a lot.”
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