IT'S not been terrific watching so far...
After a dismal 3-1 away loss to West Ham on Sunday and over a quarter of the way into the new Premier League season, Newcastle are currently languishing 13th in the table.
Although Newcastle have fared well in cup competitions, their three wins, three draws, and four losses give them 12 points from a possible 30 in the Premier League.
It's not been a horrendous start, but equally, it's not been great. Why do Newcastle find themselves in a rut, and where is the team going wrong?
A turbulent summer transfer window
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In May, after less than a year in his position, Newcastle announced the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell.
This came after Newcastle chief executive officer (CEO) Darren Eales' September 2024 announcement that he would be stepping down from the club - once a successor was found - after a blood cancer diagnosis.
The pair worked closely together, first at Tottenham, then at Newcastle. On both occasions, Eales appointed Mitchell, and they oversaw the club's first domestic trophy win in over 70 years.
At the time of his departure at the end of June, Mitchell cited Eales' looming exit as one of the main reasons for his own leaving.
"I'm leaving at a time that is right for me and the club, particularly with Darren Eales - someone who I have worked so closely with in my career - moving on soon," Mitchell said.
"The club is in great hands on and off the pitch, and is in a fantastic position to continue building."
Eales himself left his position in September, and the club quickly announced the appointment of Canadian David Hopkinson as the club's new CEO, before announcing Scot Ross Wilson as the new sporting director in October.
New club CEO David Hopkinson has joined Newcastle with an impressive CV, which includes a spell at Real Madrid _(Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)_
This all followed several topsy-turvy years of overhaul at Newcastle's board level, with Dan Ashworth leaving his sporting director role in February 2024, followed by co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi agreeing to sell their shares and leave the club in July 2024.
Despite these changes, Newcastle kicked into gear last season, winning a trophy and securing a Champions League place.
The same can't be said for the current season. As well as league results not being good enough, the performances have also been poor, with Newcastle showing a noticeable regression from the gegenpressing, gung-ho style that fans of this Eddie Howe side have grown accustomed to watching.
**Lacking consistency**
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Credit where credit is due, Newcastle have managed to stay somewhat competitive across multiple fronts this season.
Before their Sunday trip to East London, Howe's side had recorded three wins in a row for the first time this season, including impressive 3-0 and 2-0 home wins against Benfica and Spurs, in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.
What came on Sunday, however, was an abject performance, lacking many, if any, positives. Newcastle were beaten by a West Ham side who hadn't won at home in all competitions since February.
Speaking on Sunday after the game, Howe said the team was 'unrecognisable' and lacking in 'dynamism' in what he called the 'worst' showing of the season.
"The physicality and the energy were missing from our performance," he said. "Hugely frustrating for us. A poor performance. We weren’t ourselves today.
"It didn’t look like a Newcastle team that we’ve seen in recent seasons. I think the body language, the collective spirit on the pitch, loads of little things that contribute to our performance weren’t there.
"I don’t think that was tactical, and I don’t think that was necessarily technical. It was a by-product of us just not being where we needed to be mentally."
Howe called Newcastle's West Ham performance the 'worst' of the season _(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)_
Although still in the early part of the new season, the lack of consistency and identity in some performances, particularly when on the road, is a worrying trend.
In a similar fashion to the 23/24 season, some will point out a Champions League campaign and the congested fixture list as reasons behind the dip in league form.
But after a summer transfer window in which Newcastle splashed around £250 million, I think questions need to be asked.
Injuries to key players, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Jacob Ramsey and new signing Yoane Wissa - who is yet to play a single minute of competitive action for the Magpies - have exacerbated and highlighted weaknesses in the squad.
However, having been derailed by injuries in 23/24, this should have been something that Newcastle planned for, so I don't think that excuse cuts it anymore.
Although Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw have both hit the ground running, the same can't be said for some of the other new signings.
And going into the season with one accomplished senior left back was a risk that hasn't paid off.
For whatever reason, so far, it isn't clicking this season for Newcastle. I think the constant board upheavals have taken their toll, and while Howe has done a superb job of steadying and navigating the ship through tumultuous waters, there is only so much one man can do.
After West Ham, Howe highlighted a performance lacking in 'energy', 'spirit', with poor 'body language' and 'mentality', which, concerningly, are all usually the most important elements of this Newcastle side.
Luckily, as I write this on Tuesday (November 4), before Newcastle's Champions League home game against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday (November 5), they do still have lots of time to get it right this season.
The club have already hinted at some January incomings. I think righting some squad depth wrongs in the winter window could prove crucial to Newcastle's season.
Before then, Newcastle have some important games, which include three Champions League matches, a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, and a first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby since the 15/16 season.
A win against Athletic Bilbao will set Newcastle well on their way to Champions League knockout round qualification, whilst bringing the feel-good factor back before a crucial showdown away at Brentford on Sunday (November 9) - the last match before the international break.