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The Newcastle manager is not prone to histrionics or sweeping public statements. So by his standards, his press conference after the weekend's 3-1 defeat counts as a angry tirade. His side took an early lead but West Ham were ahead by the interval, as well as striking the woodwork and having a penalty overturned by VAR, leading Howe to make a three substitutions at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach stated. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I believe this indicated of where we were in that moment during the match and it’s very, very rare for me to feel that way. In fact, I cannot recall having done so since I’ve been head coach of the club, therefore I believed the squad needed some shaking up at the break. That’s why I made those decisions.”

Three key players all came off at the interval and Newcastle managed to steady to an extent in the latter period, without ever really looking like they might get back into the contest against a side that had won only one of their previous nine league matches. Given how packed the centre of the table currently is, with just three points separating the top spots from mid-table, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a run of twelve points from ten matches has not placed the Magpies stranded but, similarly, they must not finish the season in thirteenth place.

The Problem of Expectations

The challenge partially is one of public view. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle possess the wealthiest backers in the world. The expectation at the time the Saudi fund acquired 80% of the club in 2021 was that it would have a transformative effect, as Roman Abramovich had at Chelsea or the City Group did at the Etihad. The difference is that both of those investors assumed control before the introduction of FFP rules (while the current allegations against Manchester City concern whether they violated those regulations once they were implemented).

Financial regulations restrict the capacity of proprietors, no matter how wealthy, to spend money on their teams and therefore probably would have slowed any Middle Eastern effort to raise the team to the standard of Manchester City. However it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s expenditure to have been quite as cautious as it has; they could have spent more and remained within the threshold – or simply taken a relatively meagre European fine since their big problem is more with the continental than the domestic regulation.

Infrastructure Spending and PSR Regulations

Besides which, stadium development is excluded from PSR calculations; the easiest way to raise income to generate additional PSR flexibility would be to extend or renovate the arena. Given the site of St James’ Park, with protected structures on multiple sides, in reality that likely implies building an completely new venue. There was talk in March of possibly undertaking the nearby relocation to a local park – opposition from community organizations could surely have been overcome with a promise to create a new park on the current stadium site – but there has been any progress on that plan. There has been substantial cutbacks from the Saudi fund on a range of projects as it shifts focus on domestic affairs; the approach to Newcastle seems completely in alignment with that strategic shift.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The Alexander Isak saga was born of that conflict. A bolder management could have portrayed his transfer as essential to free up funds for additional spending; rather there was a unsuccessful attempt to retain him. This resulted in Newcastle began the season amidst a feeling 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 first six fixtures.

Yet it seemed a corner was reached. They had won five in six before the weekend, a streak that included demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the European competition. That’s why the performance against the Hammers was such a shock. The problem perhaps is that the team's style is extremely intense, very high-octane; a minor decrease in intensity can have profound effects. Maybe the pressure of Premier League, European and Carabao Cup matches, five games in a fortnight, had got to them. Woltemade featured in all five matches and looked particularly fatigued.

Reality of Contemporary Soccer

This is the reality of modern football. Managers must be prepared to rotate. The manager has been unlucky that the forward's fitness issue has left him lacking forward choices but, no matter how valid the reasons, the weekend's performance was unacceptable –especially after taking the lead at a stadium ready to turn on its home team.

The Newcastle boss will hope it was just a blip, one of those days when all players is below par at once, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the European competition next season, not to mention one day launch an genuine championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as they have been.