Puzzling & Mesmerizing The Magpies Search for Answer to Curb Turmoil
Supporters of the Tyneside club are increasingly regarding the team's squad as an inconsistent friend. At their brilliant best, they transform into the very entertainers, unleashing breathtaking displays. But, on other occasions, once-dependable players like their midfield linchpin and his teammates completely fail to appear.
Exacerbating this issue is a second-half game management laced with a worrying element of chaos. Before their Boxing Day to Manchester United, the facts reveal a sobering picture: the team has dropped 13 precious Premier League points from winning positions this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet in 10 consecutive matches across all competitions. Securing victory at Old Trafford would be only their second-ever domestic triumph on the travel this year.
A Tale of Two Sides: Hope Within the Inconsistency
On the flip side, a loss has been tasted on one occasion in their most recent six league fixtures, and despite occupying a modest 11th place, they are a mere six marks behind the highly-prized Champions League places. Factor in an looming two-part Carabao Cup last-four clash against the reigning champions and a strong chance of advancing to the European Cup knockout phase, and it becomes easier to see the manager's guarded positivity.
“It's not only about issues,” said the club's head coach. “We have positives too. The perspective here is firmly half full at present. I realize others could have a different take, but in my view we're improving.”
The challenge persists: will this collection of players match – or even surpass – the successes of the previous campaign's Wembley triumph and fifth-place finish? Juggling a congested fixture list makes this difficult.
Exhaustion and Strategic Teething Problems
The resulting tiredness might be the reason behind the inability to uphold a brilliant first-half showing versus their London rivals, eventually letting slip a two-goal advantage to tie 2-2. Similarly, it could be the explanation for a subdued display in a painful defeat to arch-rivals Sunderland, where the side seemed lethargic just a short time after a demanding European away day.
Although coaching is clearly the manager's specialty, the constant schedule of two games a week matches has drastically reduced crucial practice sessions. This impedes the squad's tactical adjustment to playing with new striker their number nine leading the line, instead of the now departed Alexander Isak. While hugely gifted, Woltemade lacks the same searing breakaway pace or relentless defensive work rate.
Indeed, the side's previously effective high press has at times malfunctioned. Injuries to vital component the Brazilian midfielder have been a factor, while expensive signings the Swedish winger and the English midfielder have found it tough adapting since their big-money transfers.
Formation Dilemmas and Defensive Crises
While a move to a back three could arguably benefit the team, a worsening backline injury crisis renders that difficult. Key defenders will be unavailable for the upcoming key fixtures, further testing the squad's resilience.
When playing at their ferocious peak, they look virtually unplayable. The catch is sustaining that intensity for the full match. The go-to plan B of dropping deep into a passive counter-attacking shape has sometimes been self-destructive.
“The Chelsea match descended into anarchic at 2-2,” admitted the manager. “However we were trying to win. Our mentality is to always try to win.”
The Way Forward: Prioritization
What appears called for is a pragmatic solution – one featuring superior ball retention, a midfield adept of controlling the pace, and a pragmatic readiness to occasionally settle for a draw. However, a ambition to compete on all competitions is pushing finite player options to their breaking point.
It may appear sacrilegious to some, but a more selective approach in the cup competitions in the initial stages could have eased the present schedule pile-up. Amid critical Champions League and league matches on the horizon, the imperative to strategically choose focus areas is growing increasingly obvious.
The manager recognized the size of the task ahead. “Being at this club, the demands are enormous. Each game is crucial. We have work to do in the Premier League. We're in the League Cup last four, we aim to progress in the Europe and do well in the FA Cup.
“The direction is in the right direction, but we have a great deal of improvement to do to become the regularly winning side we envision. Our capacity to string together sequences of victories has escaped us so far.
“The challenge is to reach that standard we are aware we're capable of. My feeling is that the assurance to do that is returning. But now we have to demonstrate it. It's not all bad currently, but the upcoming fixtures will determine much.”