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The Newcastle manager isn't typically prone to histrionics or grand public pronouncements. Based on his usual demeanor, his press conference following Sunday’s loss to West Ham qualifies as a angry outburst. His side took an early lead but West Ham were ahead by half-time, while also striking the woodwork and having a penalty revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to make a three substitutions at the break.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” Howe said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of our performance level in that moment during the match and it's extremely uncommon for me to have that impression. Actually, I cannot recall I have since I’ve been head coach of the club, so I felt the squad required some shaking up at half-time. This explains why I made what I did.”

Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Emil Krafth were substituted at the interval and the team managed to steady somewhat in the latter period, without ever appearing like they might get back into the contest against a side that had secured just a single victory of their last nine league matches. Considering the congestion the centre of the standings is, with a mere three-point gap dividing the top spots from mid-table, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a sequence of 12 points from ten matches has not left Newcastle stranded but, similarly, they must not end the campaign in 13th.

The Issue of Expectations

The problem to an extent is one of perception. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle possess the richest backers in the globe. The assumption at the time the PIF bought 80% of the team in 2021 was that it would bring a transformative effect, similar to Roman Abramovich achieved at Stamford Bridge or the City Group had at Manchester City. The difference is that those two owners assumed control prior to the introduction of financial fair play regulations (and the current charges against Manchester City concern if they violated those guidelines once they were in place).

Financial regulations limit the ability of owners, however rich, to spend money on their squads and therefore probably might have slowed every Saudi effort to raise Newcastle to the standard of Manchester City. However there is no need for Newcastle’s spending to have been quite as cautious as it has been; they could have spent more and stayed inside the threshold – or just accepted a relatively meagre Uefa fine given their big issue is primarily with the European than the domestic rules.

Stadium Spending and PSR Rules

Additionally, stadium development is exempted from PSR calculations; the simplest way to increase revenue to create additional financial flexibility would be to extend or redevelop the arena. Considering the site of St James’ Park, with listed buildings on two sides, practically that probably means constructing an completely new stadium. Rumors circulated in March of potentially undertaking the nearby relocation to Leazes Park – resistance from community organizations might have been surmounted with a promise to create a replacement green space on the current stadium site – but there has not been any progress on that proposal. There has occurred substantial cutbacks from the PIF on a range of initiatives as it shifts focus on local investments; the attitude to Newcastle appears completely in alignment with that strategic shift.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The Alexander Isak saga was arose from that tension. A more confident management could have portrayed his sale as necessary to release funds for additional spending; instead there was a unsuccessful effort to keep him. This resulted in the team began the season amidst a sense of frustration even with the acquisitions of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The start was indifferent: one win in their initial six fixtures.

But it appeared a turning point was reached. They had won five victories in six matches before the weekend, a run that included convincing wins of a Belgian side and Benfica in the European competition. That’s why the performance against West Ham was such a shock. The problem maybe is that the team's approach is extremely intense, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in energy can have significant consequences. Perhaps the strain of Premier League, Champions League and cup competition, five fixtures in 15 days, had got to them. Woltemade featured in all five matches and appeared particularly weary.

Reality of Contemporary Football

This is the reality of modern the sport. Managers have to be prepared to rotate. The manager has been unlucky that Wissa’s injury has left him lacking forward choices but, regardless of how reasonable the explanations, the weekend's showing was inexcusable –especially following scoring first at a stadium ready to turn on its own side.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was just a blip, an off-day when everybody is off-colour at once, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, not to mention eventually mount an actual championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as this.