Eddie Howe has been in charge of Newcastle since their takeover inEddie Howe replaced Steve Bruce as Newcastle manager back in 2021 (Image: PA)
The PIF era
Historically, Newcastle are a big, well-supported club. Most of their success came in the early-to-mid 20th century, however, which is what sets them aside from the ‘big six’ in the Premier League.
There was a long spell where they were punching well below their weight, struggling in the top flight and even dropping down into the Championship. Mike Ashley kept the club in a relatively stable condition, but fans wanted more ambition.
That all changed in 2021 when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside other members of a consortium, bought the club for £305 million. It was a controversial move, one that allowed one largest sovereign wealth funds in the world to take over a Premier League football club.
They quickly got to work. The likes of Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon were signed ahead of their first full season as owners. They secured Champions League qualification for the first time since 2003 as a result.
More players arrived ahead of their return to European football - Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. This time, however, it didn’t work out.
Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is the face of the Mapgies' Saudi-based ownership groupChairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan is the face of the Mapgies' Saudi-based ownership group (Image: PA)
Financial constraints
Drawn into a group of death alongside PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan, Newcastle finished bottom of their Champions League group.
They also finished seventh in the Premier League, which they thought would be enough for Europa Conference League football. Manchester United’s FA Cup win scuppered those plans.
Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) were becoming a real issue. The Magpies opted not to sell any of their star players, despite big interest from Liverpool in England international Gordon, but they weren’t busy in the summer transfer window either.
Odysseas Vlachomidos joined from Nottingham Forest while Elliot Anderson moved to the City Ground in a separate deal. Many accused the two clubs of using this as a Financial Fair Play (FFP) loophole, which has been vehemently denied.
Hall’s loan move from Chelsea became a permanent one and Lloyd Kelly joined from AFC Bournemouth on a free transfer. William Osula’s £15m move from Sheffield United looks like one for the future.
This lack of transfer action has disappointed the fans, although it was clear that a different approach was necessary. Manager Eddie Howe expects it to carry on into January and has admitted that some players may be sold.
Newcastle have struggled to remain consistent this seasonNewcastle have struggled to remain consistent in the last few weeks (Image: PA)
A frustrating season
It just hasn’t worked out for Newcastle this season, for one reason or another.
Despite the lack of spending, they have a good squad. Yet with 16 games played, they sit 12th with six wins, five draws and five defeats.
The campaign started well with a 1-0 win over Southampton, although they were down to 10 men and somewhat fortunate to see it over the line. A draw at Bournemouth preceded wins at home to Tottenham and away at Wolves, but they were brought back down to earth by a 3-1 defeat at Fulham.
This is where their performances and results started to become inconsistent. Consecutive draws against Manchester City and Everton - one of which was much more frustrating than the other - came before back-to-back defeats at home to Brighton and away at Chelsea.
Arsenal were then put to the sword at St. James’ Park before the Magpies took three points at Nottingham Forest. However, a four-match winless run ensued, with draws against Crystal Palace and Liverpool sandwiched by defeats to West Ham and Brentford.
Newcastle will feel confident heading into their trip to Suffolk, however, having dismantled Leicester City in a 4-0 thrashing last weekend. It could have been worse for the Foxes, which shows what Howe’s side are capable of at their best.
And they also enjoyed an impressive 3-1 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup in midweek, a game in which Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali scored twice. They'll face Arsenal in the last four.
Alexander Isak has been one of the top performers in the Premier League this seasonAlexander Isak has been one of the top performers in the Premier League this season (Image: PA)
Swedish superstar
One shining light for Newcastle is Isak, who continues to get better and better every single week. He’s now at a point where he has to be considered as one of the best strikers in the Premier League.
A hamstring injury limited his game time in his first season at the club, but he bagged 21 goals in 30 league games the following season - the third most in the division behind Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.
It feels like he’s ready to take it to another level this campaign, boasting seven goals and four assists in just 14 matches. He’s a consistent threat and a creative force, making him the star man in a Newcastle side that has underperformed this year.
His height, pace and movement are all vital components of his game. Above all, he’s clinical in front of goal. A ruthless attacker who has now started to attract interest from the biggest clubs on the planet.
The Magpies want him to stay, however, and fans made that abundantly clear with a pre-match display ahead of their game against West Ham where his name was spelled out in big letters using the blue and yellow colours of the Swedish flag.
Joelinton will miss the game against Town through suspensionJoelinton will miss the game against Town through suspension (Image: PA)
Team news
Joelinton, who has started every league game for Newcastle so far this season, is suspended, while goalkeeper Nick Pope (knee) is set to miss around a month according to The Athletic.
Striker Callum Wilson (hamstring) has picked up a knock and will be out until the new year.
Emil Krafth (broken collarbone) hasn’t been a regular for the Magpies but won’t be among the substitutes at Portman Road. Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman (both ACL) are long-term injury concerns.
Given how they performed against Leicester last weekend, don’t expect many - if any - unforced changes.
Possible XI: 4-3-3: Dubravka; Livramento, Schär, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimarães, Longstaff; Murphy, Isak, Gordon