After the heights of last season, it was clear Newcastle United would have a battle on their hands to keep that standard for the 2023/24 campaign.
Injuries have plagued the Magpies this season and results were disappointing over the festive period, however, manager Eddie Howe still looks to be the right man to take the club through the troubled waters.
Injuries Ramp Up For Magpies
While no club wants to use injuries as an excuse, it’s hard to look past Newcastle’s misfortune when it comes to players sideline this season. The Magpies, who are 12/1 with Rhino Bet Sportsbook to finish in the top four this term, have seen the likes of Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Joelinton, Harvey Barnes and Matt Targett all sidelined through injury. The loss of Pope in particular was a massive blow in early December, with the England international being one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. Pope led a formidable defence last season and helped the Magpies make a welcomed return to the Champions League for this term.
Just when it looked like the worst of Newcastle’s injury woes were behind them, Joelinton picked up a tendon injury in the top of his thigh in the FA Cup win over Sunderland, as covered by the BBC. The Brazilian, transformed at St James’ Park from a wasteful striker to an outstanding midfielder, is a key figure for the North-East outfit and will be sorely missed during his time on the sidelines. With Newcastle’s form slipping over the winter months, some quarters have questioned Howe’s position at the club. However, the English manager has sailed the Magpies through troubled waters before and can do so again.
No Need To Panic
Few could have foreseen Newcastle’s injury plight coming this season and there will always be questions on how the first half of the campaign would have panned out if their injury misfortunes were even slightly lessened. Regardless, the club find themselves on 29 points after their first 21 games of the Premier League campaign and with work to do to try and secure European football for next season. Even with the poor results at the turn of the year, there is every reason to have faith in Howe to turn things around at St James’ Park.
When the former Bournemouth boss took the reins at Newcastle in 2021, as reported by The Guardian, the club found itself in the midst of a relegation battle. Helping the club record a sixth successive home win in April 2022, a feat that had not been achieved since the days of the great Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle, the Magpies flew up the table and away from danger. Pressure has been on Howe since the moment he walked through the doors at St James’ Park and it’s an environment he seems comfortable in. Injured stars will eventually return and probability suggests the worst of the squad’s injury woes are indeed behind them for this season.
Howe’s quality and calming temperament are just what Newcastle need this season and in the long term, sticking with their manager could well reap its rewards.
