Howe does Eddie turn this around?

Newcastle United are regressing from the side they were just a season ago, leadership lacking all over the pitch, a midfield that is able to be played through with ease, and gaps between the midfield and defence widening. Eddie Howe’s mantra when he joined Newcastle was “Intensity Is Our Identity”; it was the main reason why Newcastle became a side most football fans wanted to watch, free-flowing football, plenty of goals, and constant pressing.

Putting the opposition under pressure from the start of games and taking the game to them from the front was pivotal in securing Champions League football and bringing silverware to the club. Questions need to be asked about where this intensity has gone? Is it a change in the style Eddie Howe wants to play? Does the appointment of Performance Director James Bunce play a part in the move away from the high pressing and intensity-focused style of play?

Wins against Manchester United and Chelsea recently gave the feeling that the season may end on a high with European qualification likely; since then, the team have shipped seven goals at the Spotify Camp Nou, lost the Tyne & Wear derby for the second time this season, thrown away a lead against Palace, and then on Saturday allowed Bournemouth the time and space to get shots on goal and ultimately finish them to extend Eddie Howe’s winless run against his old club, stretching eight games, losing three and drawing five. Newcastle have also lost eight of the last 11 Premier League games, which is the most of any team during this time.

The defence has gone from a back line that was strong defensively and looked hard to beat to a back line that is shipping goals at ease and a front line that is scared to shoot. There are likely to be departures this summer with Kieran Trippier being the first to announce he will leave the club at the end of the season. Emil Krafth and Fabian Schär are also out of contract this summer, and with uncertainty over the future of Tino Livramento, Newcastle may find themselves with zero recognised right backs. 

Is Eddie Howe the right man to lead the change of the guard with various of the current squad heading for the exit, or will the club’s hierarchy, after seeing the results of backing Eddie with over £600m, decide that a change is needed with a fresh face with new ideas being the way forward this summer?

If current form continues then it is unlikely that Newcastle will stick with Eddie Howe, whilst fans will always thank him for what he has done at the club, given the importance of a much needed refresh of the squad this summer. It may come to the point where fans feel a new face in the dug out is also needed, Alonso, Jose, Mancini or Iraola. All great names, if it was down to me there is something of a romantic view point in bringing Jose Mourinho to Newcastle, a man who has strong links to Sir Bobby Robson and has always expressed his love for Newcastle and the fans.