These are the Newcastle United mistakes Eddie Howe has to fix as clear transfer message sent


Sixth in the table, three points off the summit of the Premier League and only beaten once all season: So why is it all so doom and gloom around Newcastle United?

Well, the 3-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday afternoon felt like it had been coming for some time. The Magpies may have been unbeaten up until that point but Eddie Howe's side have not be playing well.

But what's the biggest reason for a run of underwhelming performances so far this term? A lack of investment in the summer transfer window? Howe's Tyneside tactics? A midfield consistently being overran?

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We asked our Chronicle Live panel for their take ahead of this weekend's visit of Manchester City...

Lee Ryder

The single biggest reason for Newcastle United's poor performances lately is undoubtedly the political backdrop which was dramatically unfurled this summer. It started at the end of the club's trip to Australia in post-season when it appeared that Eddie Howe had lost a bit of control on recruitment with deals for Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie not given the green light.

Then came the departure of co-owner and Howe ally Amanda Staveley, and then the uncertainty caused by Howe's comments on needing to be "happy" and "boundaries" after sporting director Paul Mitchell and performance director James Bunce arrived on the scene.

A spluttering summer transfer window and the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh made for an uneasy pre-season and it feels like Newcastle are ill-equipped.

I've not seen a great deal of evidence that things are calmer between Mitchell and Howe since the window closed and Press conferences are turning into cagey affairs. None of the above is going to make a team play better.

Lee's verdict: The summer uncertainty

Ciaran Kelly

For me, the failure to strengthen the group has hurt. Newcastle United faced a challenge to improve an already strong starting line-up while complying with strict PSR rules, but the Magpies look light compared to their rivals after failing to bring in a difference maker last summer.

Newcastle can pick up results when everyone is fit, and have a strong bench to boot, but this side needed fresh blood in key areas to increase the competition for places in my opinion. Newcastle, after all, are relying on largely the same group of players to go again and Lloyd Kelly is the only summer signing who was not already at the club to have made a competitive appearance so far this season.

Sandro Tonali's return has been welcomed - the Italy international was repeatedly likened to a 'new signing' by a number of senior figures at the club - but he was already at the club and had been training with his team-mates during the ban. Sooner or later this squad needs reinforcing - not only to continue to compete but to prevent things going stale.

Ciaran's verdict: Failing to strengthen

Aaron Stokes

Eddie Howe usually doesn't like to chop and change his Newcastle sides but so far this term we have seen non-stop tinkering from the Toon boss as he wrestles to find the answer to the team's poor performances.

Whether it's who starts at right-back, who gets the nod at left-back, which midfield trio is picked or who begins each game either side of Alexander Isak in attack, we are seeing an indecisive Howe chop and change at will with every passing week.

Competition for places is great and the players will no doubt feel more compelled to work in training if they know a spot in the starting XI is up for grabs come the weekend - but there's no consistency in this team at all. How can players find their rhythm and build their form if they're in one week, out the next?

It's easier said than done when you have such an array of stars capable of starting each game but Howe needs to find his best team - and then stick with it so they have time to gel.

Aaron's verdict: Howe doesn't know his best XI

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe -Credit:Getty Images

Andrew Musgrove

The midfield is being horribly exposed time and time again, and perhaps more worryingly, it's been this way especially away from home for the best part of a year.

Eddie Howe has always maintained that he wants his midfield three to be fluid but there's not enough discipline there for United not to get hit by teams on the counter. As soon as United go forward, the shape is gone.

Opposition teams are finding the space between the midfield three and the back four and punishing Newcastle.

What's the answer? Well until January, it might have to be a change of formation. Could Howe go with two sitting midfields to help offer some protection to his defence? Possibly, but it still doesn't solve the fact that, in my view, that none of those who could play there are an out and out defensive midfield, capable of just sitting there and sweeping up.

Come January, hopefully there's a number six arrival waiting in the wings.

Andrew's verdict: Midfield issues

Stuart Jamieson

There are myriad reasons why it's just not clicking for Newcastle United so far this season, but one stands out above the rest, namely the formation. It would be easy to look back at previous seasons and point to how well they have done using the exact same formation and tactics and pretty much the same players.

But that would mean overlooking an important point. Newcastle have been worked out. Most sides now know how to reduce United's threat and, while they still have the players to overcome this new challenge, they've not controlled any game so far this term.

In truth, this started last season. The midfield is too lightweight and can be bypassed with relative ease. There is little to no cover for a backline shorn of its best player in Sven Botman and no one breaking the lines to support Alexander Isak.

Going forward, teams are acutely aware that if Newcastle are given space to play behind then they will really hurt you. We've seen very few high lines against United, apart from Spurs who were caught out for Isak's winner, while playmaker Bruno is often targeted and stifled.

The solution? Play two midfield anchor men, free up Bruno in a more advanced role, and put Anthony Gordon back in his natural left-wing position. It might not be that simple, but it would be a start.

Stu's verdict: Newcastle's formation