It’s ten days until Newcastle United’s next game, and Eddie Howe has a lot of work to do behind the scenes to prepare.
Things have not gone to plan for Newcastle so far this season. 12 points from 11 games is far from ideal, and it’s safe to say there is pressure on Eddie Howe, at least from the outside.
Newcastle are now predicted to finish 12th this season, which would simply not be good enough. So, what needs to change?
Ask Magpies fans and they’ll tell you plenty is wrong. But, ahead of Newcastle’s next Premier League game, here are a few things Howe needs to get right during the international break.
Nick Woltemade playing for Newcastle United against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Work to be done for Eddie Howe this month
Nick Woltemade solution must be found
Nick Woltemade may be one of the 12 Newcastle players on international duty this month, but that doesn’t mean Howe can’t shape his tactical work around the big German striker while he’s gone.
Obviously, Woltemade has made a big impact on Tyneside since arriving this summer, but it still feels like there’s so much more to come. Sadly, the team around him and the system aren’t bringing out the best in the forward.
There’s talk of Woltemade and Yoane Wissa playing together, which could help compensate for the former’s lack of pace. But it will require a complete formation change.
I’m not here to tell Eddie Howe what the answer to that particular dilemma is, but it would seem sensible to form a little and large partnership to get the best out of both players (when Wissa is fit, of course).
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Fitness is key during international break
Newcastle United’s injury list is seriously impacting the side. There is no miracle cure for that, but Howe and the players who missed out on international call-ups must make sure fitness is at the forefront of everything they do this week and next.
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are desperately needed back, with Newcastle really suffering for having their first-choice full-backs missing. Not only defensively, but those two being absent has hindered the Magpies in their build-up play going into attack, too.
That’s not to mention the fact that Dan Burn has been forced to play out of position on the left. Thankfully, Hall got some minutes under his belt against Brentford, so let’s hope he’s ready to go against Man City next week.
Obviously, the key thing is for no more injuries to arise during the break, too. But, Howe needs to push the squad and get those levels back to where they need to be.
Joelinton looks frustrated during Newcastle United's Premier League game against West Ham.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Newcastle’s midfield balance is all wrong
Something doesn’t feel right about the Newcastle midfield right now. On paper, a combination of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton should work, but it’s not.
Tonali and Guimaraes have been told to step up, with the latter in particular performing well below his usually incredible standards.
Joelinton has been questioned, too. He may bring physicality and bite to the midfield, but is he offering enough going forward? No, is the answer, and that’s where Jacob Ramsey could come in.
Of course, if Howe does eventually change his formation to bring in Wissa alongside Woltemade, this dilemma may well solve itself. But for now, Howe needs to address the balance in his midfield to allow for more creativity to flow.