Supporters of Newcastle United are increasingly regarding the team's side as an unreliable ally. At their brilliant best, they prove to be the ultimate thrill-seekers, delivering high-intensity exhibitions. However, in other matches, previously reliable figures like their midfield linchpin and others utterly do not show up.
Compounding this issue is a second-half game management suffused by a distinct element of panic. Ahead of their Boxing Day to Manchester United, the numbers paint a troubling picture: they have squandered 13 precious top-flight leverage from winning situations this campaign and are without a clean sheet in ten consecutive matches in every tournament. Claiming a win at Old Trafford would represent only their second-ever domestic triumph on the travel this year.
On the flip side, defeat has been tasted on one occasion in their most recent six league encounters, and although sitting in a seemingly lowly 11th spot, they are a mere six points off the highly-prized Champions League places. Factor in an looming two-part League Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a decent prospect of moving on to the Champions League last 16, and it is simpler to understand the manager's measured positivity.
“It's not only about difficulties,” remarked the club's manager. “You can see strengths also. The perspective here is firmly optimistic right now. I understand others could have a opposing opinion, but I feel we're making progress.”
The challenge persists: will this group recreate – or even exceed – the successes of last season's Wembley triumph and European-qualifying standing? Juggling a congested fixture list makes this difficult.
This tiredness could account for the failure to maintain a stellar opening 45-minute performance against their London rivals, ultimately squandering a two-goal lead to draw the game. Likewise, it is possibly the culprit for a poor display in a painful loss to local rivals the Black Cats, where the team seemed sluggish just days after a grueling European away day.
Although on-field instruction is clearly the manager's forte, the constant schedule of twice-weekly football has severely limited crucial coaching time. This impedes the team's stylistic adaptation to playing with summer signing Nick Woltemade up front, rather than the now departed Alexander Isak. Although hugely talented, the German forward has not shown the same blistering breakaway speed or ferocious defensive work rate.
In fact, the team's once-formidable high press has at times malfunctioned. Fitness issues to key cog the Brazilian midfielder have exacerbated matters, while high-profile signings Anthony Elanga and the English midfielder have struggled adapting since their combined £90m+ transfers.
While a move to a three-man defense could theoretically benefit the cause, a worsening backline injury list makes that unlikely. Important full-backs will be unavailable for the upcoming key fixtures, straining the squad's resources.
At their high-tempo best, they appear virtually unplayable. The catch is sustaining that level for the entire 90 minutes. The go-to plan B of sitting back into a deep-lying defensive formation has sometimes been self-destructive.
“That match descended into chaotic at two-all,” said the manager. “However the intention was going for the victory. Our mentality is to always try to secure the three points.”
What appears called for is a middle ground – involving better possession retention, a engine room adept of dictating the pace, and a pragmatic readiness to occasionally accept a draw. However, a desire to compete on all fronts is testing thin player resources to their limit.
This might seem sacrilegious to some, but a more selective approach in the cup competitions earlier could have alleviated the current schedule pile-up. With vital Champions League & league matches on the agenda, the imperative to carefully prioritize is growing increasingly clear.
The manager recognized the magnitude of the journey remaining. “When you're at this club, the pressures are big. Every moment's pivotal. We have work to do in the league. We are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, we want to progress in the Europe and perform in the FA Cup.
“The direction is in the correct path, but we have a great deal of improvement to do to become the consistently successful team we aspire to be. Our capacity to put winning runs has deserted us this season.
“The objective is to attain that standard we are aware we're able to reach. The internal belief is that the self-belief to do that is growing. Yet now we have to prove it. It ain't all bad right now, but the next few weeks will determine a great deal.”
