Not even a resounding victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League would answer some serious questions about this Newcastle United side.
The Champions League has been a welcome relief for Newcastle United this season. Last month’s win over Benfica took them up to six points in the league table, with progression into at least the play-off rounds a realistic target.
Their European performances have been in stark contrast to their Premier League outings. Indeed, Eddie Howe’s side have laboured for much of their campaign thus far and Sunday’s defeat at West Ham was a nadir.
Newcastle players have had their attitude questioned amid a theory that they are able to show up for the big games but let the so-called “lesser” games pass them by.
With that in mind, the biggest test Howe faces this week is Brentford, not Bilbao.
Eddie Howe looks on following Newcastle United's win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Beating Athletic Bilbao would teach Newcastle United fans nothing
While a win in the Champions League certainly isn’t to be sniffed at, watching Newcastle turn up and beat reasonably big-name opposition under the lights at St James’ Park would not be anything new for supporters.
This team have consistently done that throughout Howe’s tenure. Even the big home games Newcastle have lost this season have seen them up in competitive performances against Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
In fact, if they do suddenly turn on the style, not even three points about the Basque giants would answer their increasing list of critics.
To go from Sunday’s dismal performance away at West Ham to beating Bilbao would only feed into this growing school of thought about Newcastle’s lack of consistency. That would surely annoy Toon supporters, who want their team to show up no matter the opposition.
No one expects Newcastle to win every week. They do, however, expect a consistent level of performance no matter the size of the game.
The real test this week comes away at Brentford. Three points in midweek would be a positive in terms of the Champions League campaign, but it will mean little for the general mood around the team if Newcastle are as bad in west London as they were in the east.
Newcastle United can kiss Champions League goodbye if they remain inconsistent
PIF are expecting Newcastle to progress in the Champions League this season but having one good campaign and then sitting out of the competition altogether next year would not do a huge amount for the long-term progress of the club.
The challenge for Newcastle United is to become a regular competitor in Europe’s elite club competition.
That’s not an easy thing to do in a world dominated by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules but there’s nothing the club can do about that.
What they can do, however, is focus on ensuring they remain in the top four or five in the Premier League table to regularly qualify. The only way to do that is to remain consistent throughout their league campaign, starting with a trip to Brentford on Sunday.
If Newcastle only show up for the Champions League this season, their time in the competition will be over indefinitely if and when they are knocked out.
They would obviously secure qualification for next season if they win this year’s tournament but even the most ardent supporter would surely admit that is hugely unlikely.
The odd season playing Champions League football will not be enough to keep Newcastle’s top stars happy.