Baffling & Mesmerizing The Magpies Seek Solution to End Disorder
Followers of the Magpies are increasingly seeing their manager's outfit as an unreliable ally. At their brilliant best, they can be the undisputed thrill-seekers, delivering high-intensity displays. But, in other matches, once-dependable players like their midfield linchpin and others completely do not show up.
Compounding these problems is a late-game strategy riddled with a worrying element of chaos. Before their Boxing Day to Manchester United, the statistics paint a sobering tale: they have let slip thirteen crucial Premier League points from winning situations this term and are yet to keep a shutout in 10 consecutive games in every tournament. Earning victory at Old Trafford would represent only their second domestic triumph on the road this year.
A Tale of Two Sides: Optimism Amidst the Inconsistency
In contrast, a loss has been tasted once in their last six Premier League fixtures, and despite sitting in a seemingly lowly eleventh spot, they are a only six points away from the highly-prized top four. Consider an looming two-legged Carabao Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a reasonable opportunity of advancing to the Champions League knockout phase, and it is simpler to appreciate the gaffer's measured positivity.
“We don't just have problems,” remarked the team's boss. “You can see positives also. I am decidedly positive currently. I know outside observers could have a divergent opinion, but I feel we're improving.”
The challenge is: can this squad recreate – or even eclipse – the achievements of the previous campaign's cup glory and European-qualifying standing? Managing a congested schedule makes this difficult.
Fatigue and Systemic Growing Pains
This tiredness may explain the inability to maintain a brilliant first-half performance against their London rivals, ultimately squandering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2. Likewise, it could be the explanation for a subdued performance in a painful defeat to arch-rivals Sunderland, where the side appeared off the pace just days after a tough European away day.
While on-field instruction is clearly Howe's strength, the relentless schedule of two games a week football has drastically reduced valuable coaching time. This hinders the team's tactical evolution to operating with summer signing their number nine up front, instead of the now departed Alexander Isak. While immensely talented, the German forward has not shown the same searing counter-attacking speed or intense defensive work rate.
In fact, the side's once-formidable pressing game has sporadically failed. Injuries to vital component Joelinton have been a factor, while high-profile arrivals Anthony Elanga and the English midfielder have found it tough adapting after their substantial transfers.
System Dilemmas and Defensive Woes
While a move to a three-man defense might arguably help the cause, a severe defensive absence list renders that problematic. Key full-backs will be missing for the upcoming crucial matches, straining the team's resilience.
At their high-tempo best, they seem almost unstoppable. The catch is sustaining that level for the entire match. The typical alternative approach of dropping deep into a passive counter-attacking shape has at times proven counterproductive.
“That game became disorganized at two-all,” conceded the coach. “But the intention was going for the victory. Our mentality is to always go out to win.”
The Path Forward: Practicality
What seems necessary is a pragmatic solution – involving better ball retention, a midfield adept of controlling the pace, and a pragmatic readiness to occasionally settle for a point. However, a ambition to compete on all competitions is stretching limited player options to their breaking point.
It may sound sacrilegious to some, but a more selective strategy in the cup competitions in the initial stages could have alleviated the current fixture pile-up. Amid vital Champions League & league games on the agenda, the imperative to carefully choose focus areas is growing ever more obvious.
Eddie Howe acknowledged the size of the journey remaining. “Being at a club of this size, the expectations are big. Every moment's pivotal. There is progress to be made in the Premier League. We're in the Carabao Cup last four, we want to go through in the Europe and do well in the FA Cup.
“The direction is in the right direction, but we have plenty of improvement to do to become the regularly successful side we aspire to be. The ability to string together sequences of victories has eluded us so far.
“The objective is to attain those levels we know we're able to reach. My feeling is that the confidence we can achieve it is coming back. But nowadays we have to show it. It's not all doom and gloom right now, but the upcoming fixtures will determine a great deal.”
