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Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to histrionics or sweeping public pronouncements. So by his usual demeanor, his press conference following the weekend's 3-1 defeat counts as a angry tirade. Newcastle scored first but the opposition took the lead by the interval, as well as striking the woodwork and seeing a spot-kick revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to make a three substitutions at the half-time.

“That was the frustrating thing about the first half,” Howe said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I believe that was a reflection of our performance level in that moment during the match and it’s very, very rare for me to feel that way. Actually, I cannot recall I have during my tenure as manager of the club, therefore I believed the squad needed some shaking up at the break. That’s why I did what I did.”

Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade and Emil Krafth were substituted at half-time and the team did stabilise somewhat in the latter period, without ever really looking like they could get back into the contest against a side that had secured just a single victory of their last nine fixtures. Considering the congestion the centre of the table is, with just three points separating third from 11th, and nine points between the upper and lower ranks, a sequence of twelve points from 10 games has not left Newcastle adrift but, equally, they must not finish the season in thirteenth place.

The Problem of Perception

The challenge partially is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, the club have the wealthiest backers in the globe. The assumption at the time 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 owners took over prior to the advent of FFP regulations (and the current charges against Manchester City concern whether they breached those regulations after they were in place).

Profit and sustainability regulations limit the ability of proprietors, however rich, to spend money on their squads and therefore probably might have slowed every Middle Eastern attempt to elevate Newcastle to the level of City. However it wasn't necessary for the club's expenditure to have been so restrained as it has been; they might have spent more and stayed inside the threshold – or just accepted a fairly minor European penalty given their major problem is primarily with the European than the domestic regulation.

Infrastructure Spending and PSR Regulations

Besides which, infrastructure spending is excluded from PSR calculations; the simplest way to increase revenue to generate additional financial headroom would be to extend or redevelop the arena. Given the location of St James’ Park, with listed buildings on multiple sides, in reality that likely implies building an completely new stadium. There was talk in spring of potentially making the short move to a local park – resistance from local groups might have been surmounted with a commitment to create a replacement green space on the current stadium site – but there has not been any progress on that plan. There has occurred substantial retrenchment from the Saudi fund on a variety of initiatives as it refocuses on local investments; the approach to Newcastle seems entirely in keeping with that strategic shift.

Player Sales Situation

The star striker saga was arose from that conflict. A more confident leadership might have framed his transfer as necessary to release funds for further investment; instead there was a vain attempt to retain him. This resulted in the team started the campaign amidst a sense of frustration even with the acquisitions of several new players. The start was indifferent: a single victory in their first six fixtures.

But it appeared a turning point was reached. They had won five in six before the weekend, a streak that included convincing wins of a Belgian side and Benfica in the European competition. That’s why the performance against the Hammers was such a shock. The problem maybe is that Newcastle’s approach is very aggressive, very high-octane; a minor decrease in energy can have significant consequences. Perhaps the pressure of Premier League, European and cup matches, five fixtures in a fortnight, had got to them. Woltemade featured in each of those matches and appeared especially fatigued.

The Nature of Modern Football

That’s the nature of today's the sport. Managers have to be prepared to make changes. Howe has been unlucky that Wissa’s fitness issue has left him short of forward choices but, regardless of how reasonable the reasons, the weekend's performance was inexcusable –especially following scoring first at a ground ready to turn on its home team.

Howe will wish it was merely a temporary setback, one of those days when everybody is below par simultaneously, but if the Magpies are to qualify for the European competition in the future, not to mention one day mount an actual championship bid, they cannot be as unreliable as this.