Newcastle United have faced questions over Howe’s future and recent Premier League form
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe gestures from the touchline(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United’s head into the next round of Premier League fixtures in desperate need of a win as pressure on head coach Eddie Howe continues to grow heavier following yet another defeat.
The Magpies fell to a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at St. James’ Park sparking further questions over decisions being made by Howe – and ultimately, his future in charge of the club.
In this week’s Q&A episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast, The Chronicle’s NUFC writers Lee Ryder and Sean McCormick, attempted to answer the burning questions being asked of Howe and his staff.
From Howe’s tenure coming to an end to the the issue with Yoana Wissa, it’s an episode worth catching! You can do by clicking here and watching it via YouTube, or by clicking here, and heading to your chosen podcast provider.
Here are some of the key talking points from the episode.
What is going on with Yoane Wissa?
Not for the first time this season, Newcastle United’s number nine didn’t make it off the bench to warm up, let alone on the pitch – and questions are certainly being asked of Wissa, Howe and the decision to bring the striker to Tyneside.
Wissa was hit by injury in his first few months but since returning to fitness has only played 810 minutes across all competitions – and is now seemingly fourth choice striker behind Anthony Gordon, Will Osula and Nick Woltemade.
For many, he is in real danger of becoming one of United’s most expensive flops having cost the club £55 million.
Lee Ryder though reckons Wissa deserves more a chance – and hopes that comes in the remainder of the season.
“He looks looks alone. He turned up on the ground alone with his headphones on before the game and he left in exactly the same manner.
“I feel a bit sorry for him in a lot of ways because he came here as a £55 million signing, [got given the] number nine shirt and he was celebrated. He got the injury, but he’s back fit now and he’s not getting an opportunity.
“And you know he came on for what, 20 seconds at Crystal Palace? Don’t think he got a touch of the football.
“For me, a player, he’s a senior player, he deserves more of a chance than he’s getting.
“He might not start the game, but give him 20 minutes and give him an opportunity and time to get into a game.”
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Is Newcastle United’s model flawed?
Few would argue that Newcastle United are where they wanted to be four years after the takeover. Yes, they’ve won a trophy and enjoyed some great nights in The Champions League but as a journey and project, is it on track?
Finishing outside of the top 10 – let alone Europe – as the club is set to do this season, was certainly not something anyone aimed for.
A lot has been made of the reasons to why United’s season has gone so badly – and the sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool is near the top of list for many.
Some say losing a player who your system was built for was always going to derail Howe’s chances this season, however some would argue differently, and point to the likes of Brentford or Bournemouth who had major summer overhauls and have become better for it.
“Yeah, those three clubs are great examples of clubs that have got a model and a philosophy,” Ryder said, “And it’s not about the players, the personnel, it’s not about the manager, it’s about this conveyor belt of everything moving along the way it does.
“Newcastle just seem to be moving along, hitting a brick wall, then having a bit of a panic and then having to rebuild – and that’s never a good system for a football club.”
People want clarity but the club cannot officially back or sack Eddie Howe now
Opinion is split on whether Howe stays or goes – and if he does indeed leave, when is the right time. Ultimately, the only view point that matters is those in the boardroom – and while sources have suggested Howe has the backing of the hierarchy, the lack of an official statement backing him, speaks volumes.
Some have called for an immediate decision – whether he is to remain, pushed or exit by his own accord – there’s a belief for some that it needs to be made public now.
But Ryder believes that would be the wrong call.
“Well if they released a statement and said now that he’s going and then they get into Europe, people will go ‘hold on he’s just got us in to Europe.’
“So they can’t. They can’t come out and put a statement out unfortunately. That might be great for us in terms of a headline but ultimately there’s unfinished business. They can’t just say that it’s finished.
“I know Liverpool did that with Jurgen Klopp in recent times but this is a different situation. This has been a decline and it doesn’t feel like they’re ready to make that decision.
“If they got a real hammering at Arsenal, then they lose at home to Brighton and then the public really do turn – yeah, that could be different.
‘At the minute, they’re still hanging and they’ve got something to still fight for. So for me, it would be the wrong time to say yeah, this or the other.”
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