Last weekend, Newcastle United bowed out of the F. A cup despite Eddie Howe emphasising the significance of their FA Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City before the game took place. Still, unfortunately, City were just too strong. This is the case for most teams against the current treble winners, as they have been in incredible form since the turn of the year. However, many Newcastle fans will be disappointed with the result, as The Magpies looked to build on a fantastic campaign last year.
This season, though, Newcastle have struggled to hit the heights of the previous year. There have been several factors for this, with injuries being a major concern. It’s also fair to say that Newcastle should have made it further in the Champions League as they were hindered by some questionable referring against PSG. They have had some rotten luck.
The Injuries
Injuries have compounded their challenges this season, with key players like Sean Longstaff playing through discomfort due to a lack of alternatives due to a lack of squad depth in certain areas. However Howe has made effort to balance player welfare with on-field performance reflect the team’s resilience. He should be commended for this.
Howe has had some stick from some sections of the fan base and the media in the UK due to the results not always going his way. Still, it is also essential to acknowledge he has got some things right, and his job has been much more challenging this season. A planned warm-weather training camp in Dubai aims to rejuvenate the squad for a solid finish to the season, potentially securing European qualification if they manage to string together a few wins on the bounce. According to many gambling firms, the Toon are currently around odds of 5/4 (which can be enhanced with the likes of https://gamblenator.com/au/no-deposit-bonus/200-dollar) to finish in the top 7 this season, which at the very least would guarantee European Conference League football next year.
Is The Current Squad Capable?
As well as Howe has navigated the many complex challenges he faced this season, there is room for improvement. Questions arise regarding Howe’s managerial approach and the need for a potential squad overhaul. Howe refutes suggestions of complacency, showing his commitment to the current squad by challenging players behind the scenes while publicly supporting them. Basically, it is the complete opposite of a Mourhino or a Conte. Again, this is commendable, as it shows Howe is willing to step up and take responsibility for the whole team.
Despite the constraints imposed by financial fair play regulations ( A thorn in the side of the Newcastle faithful, especially with Manchester City and co being able to run riot in the transfer market before these restrictions were put in place properly), Newcastle anticipates a strategic approach to the summer transfer market. They must focus on getting the right players in for the right price to push on next year.
With anticipated departures and arrivals, the club aims to bolster its squad with critical additions, prioritising versatility and youth. The potential sale of players like Bruno Guimaraes could significantly impact their transfer strategy, providing financial flexibility for reinforcements.
Structural Changes
Negotiations surrounding the departure of Dan Ashworth to Manchester United underscore ongoing structural changes within the club’s management. Despite external criticisms, Howe retains the support of the club hierarchy, with confidence in his leadership extending into the next season.
Should Howe Stay
As Newcastle faces uncertainties on and off the field, Howe’s tenure will continue to be scrutinised as he seeks to elevate the team’s performance and deliver results in the seasons ahead. Overall, though, Howe deserves more time, as there is enough credit in the bank from last season. With the issues he has faced on and off the pitch this campaign, he has coped well overall. Changing managers could also have more of a negative impact than keeping the current one, so patience may be critical for Newcastle to kick on in the coming years.
