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The Newcastle manager isn't typically prone to histrionics or sweeping public statements. So by his standards, his press conference following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat qualifies as a angry outburst. Newcastle scored first but the opposition took the lead by half-time, as well as hitting the post and seeing a spot-kick overturned by VAR, prompting Howe to make a triple change at the half-time.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” Howe said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think this indicated of where we were at that stage in the game and it’s very, very rare for me to have that impression. Actually, I don’t think having done so during my tenure as manager of Newcastle, therefore I believed the squad needed some shaking up at half-time. That’s why I made those decisions.”

Three key players all came off at half-time and the team managed to steady to an extent in the second half, without ever appearing like they could fight back into the contest against an opponent that had secured just a single victory of their last nine league matches. Considering how packed the centre of the standings currently is, with just three points separating third from 11th, and a nine-point margin between second and 17th, a sequence of 12 points from 10 games has not placed the Magpies adrift but, equally, they cannot end the campaign in 13th.

The Problem of Expectations

The problem partially is one of public view. In the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Newcastle possess the wealthiest owners in the globe. The expectation when the PIF acquired 80% of the club in 2021 was that it would have a transformative effect, similar to the former Chelsea owner had at Chelsea or the City Group did at the Etihad. The distinction is that both of those investors assumed control prior to the advent of financial fair play regulations (and the current allegations against Manchester City relate to whether they violated those guidelines after they were implemented).

Financial restrictions limit the ability of owners, however rich, to spend money on their teams and so in that sense likely might have hindered any Saudi effort to raise Newcastle to the level of City. However it wasn't necessary for Newcastle’s spending to have been so restrained as it has; they could have spent more and remained within the limit – or simply taken a relatively meagre Uefa penalty since their big problem is more with the European than the Premier League regulation.

Infrastructure Spending and Financial Rules

Additionally, stadium development is excluded from PSR calculations; the easiest way to raise income to generate additional PSR flexibility would be to extend or renovate the arena. Considering the location of the home ground, with listed buildings on multiple sides, in reality that probably means building an entirely new stadium. There was talk in spring of potentially making the short move to Leazes Park – opposition from community organizations could surely have been overcome with a promise to build a new park on the existing stadium site – but there has been no movement on that plan. There has occurred significant cutbacks from the Saudi fund on a range of projects as it shifts focus on local investments; the approach to the football club appears entirely in keeping with that change of approach.

The Alexander Isak Situation

The star striker saga was born of that conflict. A more confident management could have portrayed his transfer as necessary to free up capital for further investment; rather there was a unsuccessful effort to retain him. This resulted in Newcastle began the season amid a sense of disappointment despite the acquisitions of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The opening was mixed: a single victory in their first six games.

But it appeared a turning point had been turned. They had won five victories in six matches prior to Sunday, a run that included demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the Champions League. This explains the performance against West Ham was such a shock. The issue maybe is that Newcastle’s approach is very aggressive, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in energy can have significant effects. Perhaps the strain of Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup matches, five games in a fortnight, had got to them. Woltemade started each of those matches and appeared particularly weary.

The Nature of Contemporary Football

That’s the reality of today's the sport. Managers have to be ready to rotate. The manager has been unfortunate that the forward's injury has left him short of attacking options but, regardless of how valid the explanations, the weekend's performance was inexcusable –particularly following taking the lead at a stadium ready to criticize its home team.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was just a blip, an off-day when everybody is below par simultaneously, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, let alone one day mount an actual title challenge, they cannot be as unreliable as they have been.