There was a clear message when Newcastle United descended on Dubai for a warm-weather training camp last week. With ten games left to play, this was a time to reset, recharge and start over.
Eddie Howe has repeatedly emphasized that there is still much to play for between now and the end of May and that there is a collective determination to dispel any negativity. Newcastle sit 10th in the Premier League – below the top eight they were aiming for in August – and are outside both European and domestic cup competitions.
But more importantly, as Howe stressed at team meetings in Dubai, Newcastle remain in the hunt for European qualification.
His side sit just four points behind West Ham, whom they entertain in seventh place, with a game in hand at St James’ Park this weekend. All is not lost, and a grueling and difficult campaign can still end successfully.
Stop feeling sorry for themselves
Newcastle players and staff had the opportunity to both rest and train hard towards the end of their week in Dubai. It was time to take a break, unite as a team and leave everything that happened this season behind.
Sources told Telegraph Sport that much of the first few days were spent relaxing, with players encouraged to play tennis, golf and other leisure activities to help them relax. In addition, team bonding events were organized to maintain fitness before the intense training sessions of the last three days.
Early signs are said to be encouraging. The batteries (mental and physical) have been recharged. There is a renewed sense of unity and purpose. The players are smiling again.
Newcastle were in danger of being stuck in a negative spiral. Their defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals ended their hopes for another season’s cup, and the season began to unravel in December, when injury problems increased even more.
Spirits were boosted by the fact that three of the injured players – Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento – were in contention to return to West Ham, despite the loss of 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley to a back injury. I’m playing for England’s development team this week.
This season has eroded some of the feel-good factor created by the October 2021 takeover of Saudi Arabia. But Newcastle need a positive playing environment to be at their best and Howe wants everyone to approach the next game as the start of a new mini-season. Rather than focusing on past failures.
For now, keep the faith in Howe
It needs to be emphasized that Howe will not be sacked as manager this season – and this is a view shared by all the key players at St James’ Park on behalf of Saudi chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
It is also worth highlighting that Howe was told when he was appointed in November 2021 and signed a new contract the following summer, understood to run until 2027, that he was being asked to oversee a long-term project. This thought has not changed.
But a poor finish to the season could put that belief under stress, and there is always the risk that the Saudis, who are in control of every major decision, will feel forced into a change if their club falls further down the table. and ends the campaign looking disheveled and out of ideas.
Howe’s name was chanted and chanted before the international break, when the team lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-final, was an emotional and very deliberate show of support for the manager from match-going fans.
Still, Howe needs to finish his campaign strong to prevent dissenting voices from growing louder and more widespread.
Perceptions are important. Currently, Newcastle have been described as a team and a club that has gone backwards since December. Even if he wasn’t sacked before May, a poor result would mean Howe would start next season under extreme pressure.
Protect the defense and goalkeeper
Newcastle conceded 48 goals in the league this season; this is much more than at the same stage in the previous season. But the defense collapsed after first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope dislocated his shoulder in the 3-0 win over Manchester United at the start of December.
Howe’s side scored 38 goals in 20 games in all competitions while Pope was injured. To make matters worse, centre-back Sven Botman, who looked unwell following a knee injury in December, was ruled out for nine months at the start of the international season as he now needed surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament. .
Howe has continued to play primarily with a high-energy pressing system, particularly from the front foot, but needs to find a way to offer more protection to a defense without mobility and a goalkeeper without mobility like Martin Dubravka. He’s as good as Pope when coming off his line or saving shots.
He appeared to have found a method in the 3-0 win against Wolves at the beginning of March; Newcastle moved into a deeper defensive block, happy to allow their opponents more possession.
This allowed them to attack more quickly on the counter and ensured that there were not as many gaps between defense and midfield. Newcastle don’t have players who can play the way Howe ideally wants. Pragmatism is needed.
Convince Joelinton to sign a new contract…
Co-owner Amanda Staveley has made negotiations with Joelinton one of her priorities. Convincing the 27-year-old to extend his deal, which expires in the summer of 2025, is a big moment. Newcastle need to show they can retain at least some of their best players and Howe has stressed how important he is to his team. Announcing that the club has signed a new contract with one of its most popular players will be a great psychological boost.
Significant meetings are planned over the next few weeks, with Newcastle seeking to get a definitive response from the player and his representatives before the beginning of May. The 27-year-old football player will be ready for transfer in the summer if he does not sign a new contract.
The international break has also allowed the club’s transfer team to narrow down a long list of potential summer transfer targets into something close to a shortlist. But the pool of players Newcastle can look to improve their squad has been described as “small and difficult” given the budget constraints imposed by profit and sustainability rules.
…and appoint a new sporting director
Newcastle will need to sell one before any excessive spending is allowed. This made the appointment of a new sporting director an urgent concern. The plan is to hire someone with a proven track record in academy and high-level recruiting before the summer.
It is also hoped a compensation fee can be agreed with Manchester United to allow former sporting director Dan Ashworth to start working at Old Trafford before the end of his gardening leave, which runs until the end of 2025. these negotiations.