Fans of the Magpies are progressively regarding Eddie Howe's squad as an inconsistent companion. When everything clicks, they transform into the undisputed life of the party, delivering high-intensity performances. But, in other matches, key figures like their midfield linchpin and his teammates simply fail to appear.
Adding to this issue is a second-half game management suffused by a pronounced element of chaos. Before their trip to Old Trafford, the statistics paint a concerning tale: the team has let slip 13 vital Premier League points from leading situations this campaign and are yet to keep a clean sheet in ten consecutive outings across all competitions. Securing three points at their famous stadium would represent only their second domestic success on the travel this year.
Conversely, defeat has been tasted on one occasion in their last 6 Premier League encounters, and although sitting in a seemingly lowly 11th spot, they remain a mere 6 marks off the coveted Champions League places. Consider an looming two-part League Cup semi-final against the reigning champions and a reasonable chance of moving on to the European Cup knockout phase, and it is easier to understand the manager's guarded hope.
“Our issues aren't limited to problems,” said the team's head coach. “There are assets also. I am very much positive at present. I realize everybody else might have a divergent opinion, but my belief is we are improving.”
The challenge persists: can this squad match – or perhaps eclipse – the achievements of the previous campaign's cup glory and fifth-place finish? Managing a hectic calendar complicates.
The resulting fatigue might be the reason behind the failure to sustain a brilliant opening 45-minute showing against their London rivals, eventually squandering a 2-0 advantage to draw 2-2. Likewise, it could be the explanation for a subdued display in a damaging defeat to local rivals the Black Cats, where the team appeared off the pace just days after a demanding Champions League excursion.
While coaching is clearly Howe's forte, the constant grind of two games a week matches has radically reduced essential practice time. This slows the squad's stylistic adjustment to playing with new striker Nick Woltemade up front, rather than the now departed Alexander Isak. While immensely skilled, Woltemade does not possess the equivalent searing counter-attacking speed or ferocious pressing.
In fact, the side's once-formidable high press has occasionally broken down. Fitness issues to crucial engine Joelinton have been a factor, while high-profile arrivals Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey have struggled adapting since their big-money transfers.
While a move to a 3-5-2 might arguably assist the team, a full-blown defensive absence list renders that difficult. First-choice full-backs will be absent for the next key fixtures, further testing the team's resilience.
When playing at their high-tempo peak, they seem virtually unplayable. The problem is maintaining that level for the full 90 minutes. The go-to plan B of dropping deep into a passive defensive formation has sometimes proven self-destructive.
“That game became anarchic at two-all,” said the coach. “However we were trying to win. Our mentality is to always go out to secure the three points.”
What seems necessary is a pragmatic solution – one featuring superior possession control, a midfield adept of dictating the tempo, and a pragmatic willingness to sometimes accept a point. However, a ambition to challenge on every competitions is pushing limited player numbers to their limit.
It may appear heretical to some, but a different strategy in the cup competitions earlier could have alleviated the current fixture pile-up. Amid vital European and league games on the horizon, the imperative to strategically choose focus areas is becoming ever more obvious.
Eddie Howe acknowledged the magnitude of the task remaining. “Being at this club, the demands are big. Every moment's crucial. We have work to do in the league. We are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, we aim to go through in the Champions League and perform in the FA Cup.
“The direction is in the correct path, but we have plenty of work to do to transform into the consistently successful side we envision. Our capacity to put sequences of victories has eluded us this season.
“The challenge is to attain that standard we know we're able to reach. I believe that the confidence to do that is coming back. Yet now we have to show it. It ain't all doom and gloom in this moment, but the upcoming fixtures will decide a lot.”
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