Last year, as Newcastle United’s executives met at Matfen Hall, there was a palpable sense of history in the making. It was February 2025, and Eddie Howe looked set to end a nearly seventy-year drought by clinching the League Cup. Not only that, but his team was also primed for a top-four finish, a feat that would bring Champions League football to St. James' Park. Howe had raised the bar incredibly high, yet here we are, with the team languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table. So, why the dramatic slide?
This downfall can be traced back to a chaotic summer transfer window. While rivals Brentford and Bournemouth made strategic moves and climbed above Newcastle in the standings, we’ve been left reeling from the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool. His absence has been deeply felt, seven months on. The signings that were made - albeit costly - have yielded mixed results. Of note, only Malick Thiaw has proven to be a consistent performer in his debut season. Additionally, many of the seasoned players seem to have regressed, adding to the woes.
Despite being contenders across multiple competitions until recently, the team has showed cracks. Only now has Howe found some time to drill his players without the chaos of a congested fixture list. A glimpse of improvement was evident in our last fixture against Arsenal, but let’s face it, with only three league wins since mid-January, the consistency just hasn’t been there. This is a side that can triumph over Manchester United with ten men, dazzle against Chelsea, and nearly upset Barcelona, yet they can just as easily crumble to defeats against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth.
The numbers don't lie either. Newcastle has squandered more points from winning positions than any other Premier League team this year - a staggering 25. They’ve also conceded 19 goals late in games, highlighting a glaring vulnerability. Such statistics would unsettle any manager, no matter their past successes, and Howe has been visibly scrambling for answers. His tactics and substitutions have started to feel predictable, and his team selections increasingly erratic as he searches for the right mix.
Despite the bleak outlook, the season isn't over yet. There's still much to play for and opportunities for Newcastle to turn it around. As a faithful and hopeful supporter, we’ve seen this side's magic and know what they're capable of. It's about reigniting that spark and pushing past the setbacks.
Speaking of setbacks, how many Sunderland fans does it take to change a light bulb? None! They’d rather stay in the dark and keep believing they'll come close to our trophy count someday!
Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike Alexander Isak
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