What’s gone wrong for Newcastle this season? Why Howe’s struggling - and the £55m signing that could make the difference
Newcastle United are currently experiencing their worst start to a campaign since Eddie Howe’s arrival
When Eddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce in the St James’ Park dugout four years ago, he quickly adopted the mantra ‘intensity is our identity’ - and ever since then the Magpies have experienced an epic rise up the table which has seen them secure a first major domestic trophy in 70 years and Champions League qualification twice in the space of three full seasons.
It’s been a period which, alongside Kevin Keegan’s ‘entertainers’ in the mid-1990s and Bobby Robson’s exciting team of the early 2000s, is viewed as Newcastle’s most enjoyable of the Premier League era.
Howe is the manager that holds the record for most goals in a 38-game-season (85) which was achieved in 2023/24 - outscoring Keegan’s team of the 1990s - while his side a year earlier only conceded 33 - equalling the record set in 1904/05.
Newcastle’s success under Howe has been implemented through a system of coordinated pressing and physically out-working their opponents - often forcing them into errors high up the pitch. It was on display on Howe’s finest afternoon in the Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool, both semi-finals against Arsenal, the Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain - and just about every famous win of the Howe era.
However, that aspect of their game seems to be missing this season, with the Magpies sitting in 14th position after back-to-back 3-1 horrorshows against West Ham and Brentford in the capital where they were completely outbattled and outfought.
But why are Newcastle struggling so much at the moment and what do they need to do to turn it around?
What’s gone wrong for Newcastle United this season?
Newcastle United have started the Premier League campaign in lacklustre fashion and the manner in which they are being beaten, particularly away from home is a huge cause for concern.
The Magpies have won the lowest percentage of ground duels of any team in the division and have won back possession less in the opponent’s third of the pitch than any other team despite attempting to press more than most.
Now it’s worth noting that despite all this Newcastle have been making an effort to try and keep more control of the ball in matches so that they can conserve their energy for the right moments. They’ve learned their lessons from the 2023/24 season when they suffered from an avalanche of injuries and burned out in certain matches due to constantly playing the same XI.
This was implemented successfully at times last season so Newcastle could strike the balance between out-working teams and calming the game down.
However, it’s not working at the moment due to various reasons. One being the injuries to Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento - two athletic full-backs, who are great on the ball and receiving it in tight spaces - as well as the absence of marquee £55m signing Yoanne Wissa.
That’s not a criticism as such of Nick Woltemade. He’s often been forced to close down opponents on his own and work really hard both in terms of pressing and dropping deep to receive the ball. But his lack of pace at times means defences are playing higher up the pitch against Newcastle than they were when Alexander Isak was at the club.
Dan Burn, 33, who is very much suited to playing centre-back, also doesn’t offer the same pace as someone like Hall. While Kieran Tripper, 35, also cannot bomb up the pitch in the same way as someone like Tino Livramento, which again gives the opposition more confidence playing a high line against Newcastle.
And in turn increasing the pressure on Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali to have to carry the ball much further with a real lack of movement going on out-wide.
Factor in potential fatigue, a myriad of changes at sporting director level, a turbulent transfer window, the demands of mid-week European football, the exit of Alexander Isak and a dip in form for players like Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga - and it’s clear to see why Newcastle are underperforming.
But Eddie Howe has proven he can steer a ship back on course through testy waters in the past as we saw last season when the Magpies went on a nine-match-winning streak at the end of December to transform their season after a lacklustre display against Brentford.
Why Yoane Wissa could help turn Newcastle United’s season around
Newcastle United spent most of the summer chasing the tried-and-tested Yoane Wissa, who has proven he can score goals on a regular basis for four years at Brentford.
Overall, he scored 19 goals in the league last season, the joint second most of any player when focusing solely on goals in open play - with only Mohamed Salah managing more.
He was a nightmare to contain last term and someone that’s desperate to make an impact in the North East, but as of yet he’s not yet kicked a ball for the Magpies since inheriting the iconic No.9 shirt - leaving almost all of the pressure on the shoulders of Nick Woltemade and the inexperienced William Osula.
While he’s not a direct replacement for Isak, Wissa is a player that shares many qualities with the Swede. He likes to play on the shoulder, make runs in behind and is blessed with exceptional pace and the ability to score a lot of goals.
Defenders wouldn’t press Wissa in the same way they’d press Woltemade due to the fear of him running in behind, which would in turn create more space for the German, who has arguably been Newcastle’s best player, more space to do his magic.
Wissa is also much quicker when it comes to pressing the opposition, and in the short-term is someone that will give Newcastle’s style of attacking a bit more familiarity while the impressive Woltemade, who continues to adapt to English football, settles into his new surroundings.
The Congo international’s imminent return, compounded with the fact that Hall and Livramento are close to full fitness, should result in an upturn in fortunes.
Who knows, maybe we’ll even see Woltemade and Wissa play in a little and large partnership reminiscent of that of Defoe and Crouch in certain matches.