The 2022/23 season will have been unforgettable for the faithful fans of Newcastle United, as they qualified for the Champions League for the first time in two decades.
However, this season hasn’t produced the same magic that Eddie Howe and his team were able to deliver the season before. They have faced a series of challenges, which currently has them down in 8th position. As they look unlikely to qualify for Europe’s biggest competition.
Things haven’t worked for Newcastle this season, but there is no reason why the team with the best defensive record last season can’t turn a corner and look to push even further next season.
Injuries and System Issues
The Newcastle fanbase has become torn on whether Howe should be leading the team next season, but there is no doubt that he has already accomplished great things with the club during his time in the North East.
Newcastle started the season strong and only suffered defeat in three league matches in the first three months of the season, while also running riot on some opponents. The most notable being PSG at St James Park.
Just before the winter period, things took a turn for the worse for The Magpies, with a wave of injuries ravaging the club, on top of a ban for summer signing, Sandro Tonali due to a series of betting breaches.
Any injury/ban was always going to effect Newcastle and their momentum early in the season, but a huge implication was down to the style and formation that Howe played.
The signing of Tonali made Newcastle’s main midfield setup contain the Italian, Bruno Guimaraes and his Brazilian teammate, Joelinton. The objective for Howe was to completely dominate their opponent in the middle of the park, with the overwhelming physicality the three would form and their quality of the ball.
However, due to the problems, Newcastle lost that edge in midfield and had to pay the price. Players like Lewis Miley and Elliot Anderson had to come in, proving what they could offer and they undenably showed that, but it’s certainly not what Howe had planned.
The same can be said with the attacking output, as newly signed Harvey Barnes has missed several months through injury, while Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson had missed parts of the season through injury as well.
For me, the biggest problem for Newcastle has mainly been the issues they have had in defence, mainly at full back, and it’s where people have been critical about their manager.
When Dan Burn suffered his injury, Tino Livramento was the one choosen to replace the 31-year-old while he was on the sidelines. Livramento joined the club in the summer from Southampton for £37 million.
The big problem Newcastle faced is Livramento and Burn are nothing alike. Burn is a more robust, defensive fullback who supports the defenders, and allows the left midfielder, in most cases Joelinton, the opportunity to drift wide and occupy that space. Livramento needs that space, as he’s an explosive full back who wants to get forward and create chances.
The 21-year-old was played in the ‘Burn’ role, and this was a catalyst of their own downfall, particularly when Kieran Tripper was going through a rough patch. When their midfield and attack faced issues, they rarely created anything. For them to then not allow Livramento any attacking freedom showed that Howe couldn’t fit his tactic to his injury free squad, and was more suited to the individual. Therefore, with the season they have had, it was always going to be a failure.
Dreaded Transfer Window
The end of the season is only a month and a half away, and teams will already be planning their summer window, for both sales and incomings. For Newcastle, the size of this window can’t be understated.
A big issue that Newcastle could face this summer is the rumblings of FFP potentially affecting their business in the window, with some large sales on the cards.
The Toon Army will be happy to hear that Isak is currently set on staying at the club, but there has been many rumours surronding Tripper, Wilson, Guimaraes and Joelinton over the past couple of months.
Newcastle are in a dark corner when it comes to this as it’s down to what other clubs are willing to offer for their players, as well as their scouts finding alternatives to these players who can have similar impacts on the pitch.
If Newcastle are able to get Europa League this season, that will have massive benefits to the caliabre of player Newcastle might be able to introduce in the summer, with that European pedigree.
However, a complete rebuild isn’t too far around the corner. If the two Brazilians midfielders decide to leave, a whole new midfield is likely required for next season. On top of defenders, with so many suffering long term injuries. Currently, they are keen on Bournemouth defender, Lloyd Kelly, who will be leaving The Cherries at the end of his contract.
It’s not like there aren’t some top talents on the market that can replace these players, but finding them for the right price, with a potential FFP sanction looming over them will be the toughest battle Newcastle will have to deal with this summer.
Ultimately, Newcastle have faced bad fortune countless times this season, and it’s put them in a tricky place as the season comes to a close. The fans have stood by their players all season and showed why they are considered one of the best fanbases in the Premier League this season, despite the tough periods they have gone through.
Whether it’s Howe or someone else that will be leading the team next season, they have a monumential task at hand. Firstly making sure that the squad is in the best possible position, despite the indication of punishment. Building a squad that doesn’t become too reliant on individuals, more towards the tactic and style of play that Newcastle set up with. Finally, producing a team of players that are 100% committed to the club, a group of players that the fans can be proud of, like they have been the last two seasons.
Cover Photo – “Football Crowd – St James’ Park” by Steenbergs is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Final Whistle 