Baffling & Bewitching The Magpies Seek Answer to End Turmoil
Supporters of the Magpies are increasingly regarding Eddie Howe's outfit as a fickle friend. On their day, they can be the very thrill-seekers, producing high-octane performances. However, at other times, key players like Sandro Tonali and his teammates simply do not show up.
Exacerbating these problems is a second-half approach riddled with a distinct tendency of panic. Ahead of their holiday fixture to Old Trafford, the facts reveal a concerning picture: the team has dropped 13 crucial top-flight points from leading situations this campaign and are yet to keep a shutout in ten straight matches across all competitions. Securing three points at their famous stadium would represent only their second-ever league success on the travel this year.
A Narrative of Contrasts: Hope Within the Inconsistency
In contrast, defeat has been tasted once in their previous 6 league fixtures, and despite occupying a seemingly lowly eleventh position, they remain a mere 6 marks away from the highly-prized Champions League places. Add in an looming two-part Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City and a decent prospect of progressing to the European Cup knockout phase, and it becomes easier to see the gaffer's cautious optimism.
“It's not only about difficulties,” said the team's head coach. “You can see positives as well. I am decidedly half full at present. I know others may hold a opposing view, but in my view we are making progress.”
The puzzle is: will this group recapture – or even eclipse – the successes of last season's Wembley triumph and European-qualifying finish? Juggling a hectic fixture list hinders.
Weariness and Strategic Adjustments
The resulting tiredness may explain the inability to maintain a superb first-half showing against their London rivals, eventually squandering a two-goal advantage to draw the game. Likewise, it could be the reason for a subdued performance in a damaging defeat to local rivals Sunderland, where the team appeared lethargic just a short time after a tough Champions League excursion.
Although on-field instruction is clearly the manager's strength, the constant schedule of two games a week matches has drastically limited crucial practice sessions. This impedes the team's tactical evolution to operating with summer signing Nick Woltemade leading the line, rather than the departed their former star. Although extremely gifted, the German forward does not possess the same electric breakaway pace or ferocious defensive work rate.
Indeed, the team's once-formidable pressing game has occasionally broken down. Fitness issues to key cog the Brazilian midfielder have exacerbated matters, while expensive arrivals Anthony Elanga and the English midfielder have found it tough settling since their combined £90m+ transfers.
Shape Questions and Injury Woes
While a switch to a back three might theoretically benefit the team, a full-blown backline injury list renders that difficult. Important full-backs will be missing for the next crucial fixtures, straining the squad's resources.
When playing at their high-tempo best, they look virtually unplayable. The catch is sustaining that level for the entire 90 minutes. The typical plan B of dropping deep into a deep-lying counter-attacking formation has at times proven self-destructive.
“That match became disorganized at 2-2,” said the manager. “But the intention was going for the victory. We always try to win.”
The Path Forward: Practicality
What seems required is a middle ground – involving better ball control, a midfield capable of controlling the tempo, and a sensible willingness to occasionally accept a draw. However, a desire to challenge on every fronts is stretching finite player options to their limit.
It may sound sacrilegious to some, but a more selective approach in the domestic cups earlier could have eased the present fixture pile-up. With vital Champions League & Premier League games on the agenda, the need to carefully prioritize is becoming increasingly clear.
The manager acknowledged the magnitude of the journey ahead. “Being at this club, the pressures are immense. Each game is crucial. There is progress to be made in the Premier League. We are in the League Cup last four, we want to progress in the Europe and perform in the FA Cup.
“We're moving in the right direction, but we have a great deal of work to do to become the consistently winning side we want to be. The ability to string together sequences of victories has escaped us so far.
“The task is to reach those heights we are aware we're able to reach. The internal belief is that the assurance we can do that is returning. Yet now we have to show it. It ain't all doom and gloom currently, but the upcoming fixtures will shape a lot.”