Newcastle United’s majority owners were in the north east of England over the weekend to talk business and take in a seven-goal puzzler at St James’ Park.
The club’s chairman and Public Investment Fund [PIF] chief, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, jetted in, flanked by an army of bodyguards. Darren Eales, Newcastle’s CEO, sat to his right, while the club’s director of performance, sporting director, chief commercial officer and chief operating officer took their seats in the row in front.
Each one of those aforementioned Newcastle bigwigs are fully aware of the club’s financial situation. Three consecutive transfer markets with no additions capable of starting top flight games, a summer trading period that saw a free agent from Bournemouth celebrated as the most influential addition, before a January window which saw he and another squad player depart with no chance of replacements being drafted in.
As such, Eddie Howe is working with a shoestring squad; one that is potentially one or two injuries – to stars like Alexander Isak or Sandro Tonali – away from a really concerning situation. He and injury prevention specialist Bunce will be keeping their fingers crossed for some luck in that particular department between now and May.
The thin nature of Howe’s senior options at present puts more pressure on those currently being sidelined. The players Howe is not affording starts giving starts too.
The likes of Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes and either Joe Willock or Lewis Miley, depending which one is sacrificed when other options higher in the pecking order are fully fit, need to grasp any opportunity that comes their way.
Both central midfielders did just that in Sunday’s win, with Willock enjoying one of his better league displays of the season and Miley once again reminding Howe why he deserves to be handed more game time and increased responsibility. Wilson and Barnes, however, were less effective as they emerged from the bench at St James’ Park.
The duo, and a half-fit Sandro Tonali, were the only substitutes Howe called upon in the Premier League showdown. Sean Longstaff, William Osula, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett were the other, outfield, options available – with only Trippier knocking on the door to start games of late.
Newcastle are feeling the effects of their profit and sustainability limitations. It feels like the last three transfer windows are catching up with them, with a lack of game-changers in reserve. That is why it is so remarkable they are fifth in the Premier League, three points behind third-placed Forest, and still in both cups.
Despite recent defeats and performances that have been solid for 45 minutes and disappointing for the rest, Newcastle have won 13 of their last 16 games. Howe is working wonders with one hand tied behind his back due to the financial rules.
PIF personnel in attendance on Tyneside over the weekend saw, in a nutshell, Newcastle’s season to date. Stumbling through at times, with limited options available, yet still beating their closest European rivals.
For all the talk of a new stadium will be high on the agenda during the meetings taking place between high-ranking Newcastle board members, there will be plans drawn up for the summer and how Newcastle can further back Howe when their financial limitations ease, as they are expected to come July.
There is a feeling that Howe can take this team to another level – and he has sent a message of that nature to those key spectators over the weekend by the fact he is keeping the Magpies in the hunt for a spot in Europe’s premier competition despite the many hurdles in his way.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howe-sends-newcastle-united-31071519
