Newcastle United desperately need change and the noises on that front are starting to sound somewhat encouraging, according to Mark Douglas of iNews.
Fans could be forgiven for feeling as if they’ve heard that before. While not to discredit any journalist, Newcastle United seem to make a lot of noise about what they’re going to do without ever actually doing any of it.
Still, supporters need something to cling on to. This has been a miserable campaign for them, and it’s coming to a very ugly end.
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PIF sponsorship is seen inside Newcastle United's stadium St James' Park.
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Indeed, Newcastle’s recruitment under Eddie Howe has been hugely criticised, leading to supporters asking Douglas on social media platform X if there was any change afoot in the way in which that aspect of the club operates.
Newcastle could change recruitment policy after issues
When asked about the club’s recruitment strategy potentially changing, Douglas said on social media platform X: “The noises around this summer’s planning are very encouraging. There will be some pain in terms of outgoings though. Let’s see how it pans out.”
In an earlier post on the same platform, Douglas said: “I get the argument that the nufc players are letting Eddie Howe down (some clearly are) but there can’t be many Premier League managers who had as much influence over players who came in as he did last summer.
All opinions welcome but I would LOVE to know how you think Howe can turn this around….
It's the same thing every week!
A graphic with the statement: "Prove me wrong - Eddie Howe has taken Newcastle as far as he can." Image shows Eddie Howe during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Bournemouth.
Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
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“Aaron Ramsdale a good example of a strategy that has been found wanting. Went with ‘what we know’ / PL experience rather than being prepared to take a chance on better with less experience. It hasn’t worked. It’s going to change, from what I’m hearing.”
Eddie Howe looks dejected after Newcastle United lose to Crystal Palace.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Based on that information, it seems like things could be changing. Clubs tend to live and die by their recruitment. For the first few years of the PIF era, it’s what propelled the club to heights many thought they couldn’t achieve.
That all changed in the summer of 2025, and quite who to blame is unclear. There are some who believe that Howe – alongside nephew Andy – has far too much control over transfers.
Whether that’s actually the case is difficult to say. Others believe the fact that owners PIF let Newcastle go without a sporting director and a CEO for the summer window was to blame for some strange decisions at times.
Selling big players does not necessarily have to be a bad thing. Replacing them adequately is the issue, and it’s not something Newcastle were able to do last summer.
Whatever strategy deployed simply did not work out. Things need to evolve, and hopefully that’s the case very soon.
Another poor summer might set the club back even further.
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