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Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to dramatics or sweeping media statements. Based on his usual demeanor, his press conference after the weekend's loss to West Ham counts as a angry tirade. Newcastle took an early lead but West Ham were ahead by the interval, while also striking the woodwork and having a penalty revoked by VAR, leading Howe to make a triple change at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach stated. “Virtually any player could have been substituted and I think this indicated of where we were in that moment in the game and it’s very, very rare for me to feel that way. In fact, I don’t think I have during my tenure as manager of the club, therefore I believed the team required some shaking up at the break. That’s why I did what I did.”

Three key players were substituted at half-time and the team did stabilise somewhat in the second half, without ever appearing like they could get back into the game against a side that had secured just a single victory of their last nine fixtures. Considering how packed the middle of the standings currently is, with a mere three-point gap dividing third from 11th, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a run of 12 points from ten matches has not placed the Magpies stranded but, similarly, they cannot finish the season in thirteenth place.

The Issue of Expectations

The problem partially is one of public view. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the club possess the wealthiest owners in the world. The assumption when the PIF bought 80% of the club in 2021 was that it would have a game-changing impact, similar to the former Chelsea owner achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group did at the Etihad. The difference is that both of those owners assumed control before the introduction of FFP rules (while the current allegations against City concern if they breached those guidelines once they were in place).

Profit and sustainability regulations restrict the ability of owners, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their squads and therefore probably might have hindered any Middle Eastern effort to raise the team to the standard of City. But there is no need for the club's spending to have been so restrained as it has; they might have spent more and remained within the limit – or simply taken a relatively meagre Uefa penalty given their big problem is primarily with the continental than the Premier League regulation.

Stadium Investment and PSR Regulations

Besides which, infrastructure spending is exempted from PSR calculations; the simplest method to increase revenue to generate more PSR headroom would be to expand or redevelop the arena. Considering the site of the home ground, with listed buildings on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies building an entirely new stadium. Rumors circulated in spring of potentially undertaking the short move to Leazes Park – opposition from community organizations might have been surmounted with a commitment to create a replacement green space on the current ground location – but there has not been any progress on that plan. There has occurred significant cutbacks from the PIF on a variety of initiatives as it shifts focus on local investments; the approach to the football club appears entirely in keeping with that change of approach.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The star striker saga was arose from that conflict. A bolder management could have framed his transfer as necessary to release capital for further investment; rather there was a vain effort to retain him. This resulted in Newcastle started the campaign amid a feeling of disappointment despite the signings of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The opening was mixed: one win in their initial six fixtures.

But it seemed a turning point was reached. They had won five in six before Sunday, a run that included demolitions of a Belgian side and Benfica in the Champions League. That’s why the performance against the Hammers was so surprising. The issue maybe is that the team's approach is extremely intense, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in intensity can have profound consequences. Perhaps the pressure of domestic, Champions League and Carabao Cup competition, five fixtures in 15 days, had got to them. The German forward started all five matches and appeared particularly weary.

Reality of Modern Football

That’s the nature of today's football. Managers must be prepared to make changes. The manager has been unfortunate that the forward's injury has left him lacking forward choices but, no matter how valid the reasons, Sunday’s performance was inexcusable –especially after taking the lead at a stadium primed to turn on its own side.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was merely a temporary setback, an off-day when all players is off-colour simultaneously, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the European competition next season, not to mention eventually launch an genuine title challenge, they must not be as unreliable as this.