Chronicle Live readers remain split regarding the Newcastle United squad, the gaffer and the club’s recent performances. Whilst some advocate for composure and continued support of the players, others are raising concerns about tactical approaches, transfer business and team selection.
Midfield invention and the deployment of attacking options have emerged as recurring talking points. Manager Eddie Howe has, however, dismissed claims that his squad contains an excess of “like-for-like” players this campaign.
Howe brought on £110m worth of talent from the substitutes’ bench in Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga, yet neither of the substantial summer acquisitions could muster a single effort on goal against the basement club at Molineux. During his post-match press briefing, Howe went on to state that he lacks the means to recruit additional attacking personnel when questioned about whether reinforcements beyond defensive cover were required.
Pressed on whether attacking reinforcements could arrive before the window shuts, as well as adding a new defender to the squad, Howe informed reporters: “I don’t think we have the financial ability to do that.”
One reader, Terryparker, urges: ” I keep on saying it, there are no easy games in the Premier League. Wolves have recently drawn with Everton, who beat Villa today, drawn with Man U, who beat City yesterday. We are on a good unbeaten run in the Premier League, we won’t win every game, just like most teams. Nearly February and we are still in all competitions. How often has that happened in the past? Probably never. Cut the negativity and keep backing the boys. Eddie Howe is the best coach Newcastle have ever had.”
Elsa agrees: “I agree there are no easy games in the premiership and that Eddie is a good manager, but I can’t escape the thought that certain players aren’t giving enough. Every manager is different, but you would imagine a manager such as Alex Ferguson, for example, would be booting some backsides round and round the training ground and dressing room. We never know what we’re going to get each time they play.”
Malaga01 says: “There is no explanation for this huge amount of money spent. We needed a very good creative midfielder, but we didn’t buy him. Instead, we spent half a team’s worth of money on strikers. After 22 rounds, do professional players still need time? These are facts, the team has not been strengthened, and they have arrived for a long time with a high salary. The difficulty is only now coming; I hope Howe can solve it, but if not, unfortunately, we have to start over.”
Breeze333 says: “Creation is what’s lacking. Gutting that the answer was sold last season, Elliot Anderson. Does the hard graft supply the bullets? Sandro and Jo have been below their best, though Jo looks like he’s getting back to form.”
DurbanSkyslot writes: “It will be interesting to see what the Howeites say and how long they can keep defending this stuck record ineffective football! We had an ideal opportunity to get up to 5th today so where the gusto to try and get a result? Why is the side worse after a team talk at halftime from a great leader? I see he’s gaslighting everyone again, steering criticism away from himself by pleading poverty. Lol Aye, Eddie knows all the tricks to walk away from another train wreck of a performance. The sad thing is I knew what was going to happen before a ball was kicked.
“The opposition manager must love it when he sees he’s up against us because it’s like sending a telegram. He knows before the match what the formation is going to be, what the tactics are, what time the subs will be made, etc, etc, etc. It doesn’t matter how bad things get, Eddie is still hero-worshipped, which is a major reason why this is happening. The man is far too comfortable walking away from any criticism for bad performances due to the worship at the temple of Howe, it’s not doing us any favours!”
Hephaestus1 comments: “The man who tied things together last season was Tonali. He seems off his game at the moment; on top of that, Joelinton and Bruno kind of drift in and out. There’s no lack of talent, but the whole centre-mid feels disorganised at the moment. The only time they looked up from it was when Miley came on.”
Nowlisten2me adds: “He was happy with Elanga? He must be the only person who was. We have regressed terribly as a team, and it’s all down to Eddie Howe. Losing one star player shouldn’t destroy a team, but that’s exactly what has happened. The replacements HE bought in the summer, apart from Thiaw, have proven to be mostly next to useless. The same happened at Bournemouth: a couple of good seasons, then downhill all the way. Thanks for what you’ve done, Mr Howe, but it’s time for you to move on to your next rescue act.”
Sports fan believes: “Gordon has been poor for the best part of a year, and Howe still insists on playing him. Worse still, he continues to play Barnes on the right to accommodate Gordon, which halves his effectiveness. When will he learn that Barnes is the most dangerous attacker we have and play to his strengths?”
What do you make of Newcastle United’s current level of performance? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
