The international break comes at just the right time for Newcastle United. The Magpies had lost three PremierPINC +0.4% league games in a row before the two-week break and although those defeats came in tough games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton, it was the first in career, Eddie Howe asked.
Howe achieved considerable success at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s fourth place last season exceeded all expectations when the Magpies returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2003. No one expected Newcastle to become a formidable force so quickly after signing This club was taken over by Saudi Arabia.
This season, though, Newcastle have struggled. They have lacked intensity in matches with the 3-1 defeat to Brighton particularly concerning. Last season, Newcastle’s success was built on a solid defensive foundation, but they have looked somewhat vulnerable at the back in the matches they have played so far this term.
Bruno Guimaraes is currently out of form. The Brazilian is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and is expected to sign a new contract at Newcastle United in the coming days, but Guimaraes has looked a shadow of the player who made such a profound impact in the Premier League last season.
Alexander Isak started the 2023/24 campaign well in a 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa, but has looked somewhat isolated since then. Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon have all impressed in certain moments, but their decision-making has let them down more times than Howe would have liked.
“I am very realistic,” said Howe after the defeat to Brighton. “Of course, there are concerns when you are not winning and have lost three in a row. I am not naive to that. You have factors and reasons, the fixture list was very tough for us. My job is to be calm and analyse where we can better then go to work on where we can get better.”
Howe has a lot of credit in the bank and so his job isn’t in any immediate risk. However, Newcastle United have big ambitions and want to challenge for the Premier League title in the not-so-distant future. If the club feels the team on the pitch is regressing and moving backwards, they could consider the 45-year-old’s position.
There’s still good reason to believe Newcastle United will turn things around. They have fixtures against Brentford, Sheffield United and Burnley in the Premier League after the international break. If the Magpies are still struggling to take flight after that run of games, a difficult start to the season would be on the verge of becoming a spiral.
