The Magpies head coach and players will take time to refocus before their final Premier League push
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches training with performance director James Bunce (left) and sporting director Ross Wilson
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe with performance director James Bunce (left) and sporting director Ross Wilson(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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In an ideal world, Newcastle United would be heading into this international break buoyed by a home derby win and with their Champions League bid rekindled. The reality is very different after three more dropped points.
Head coach Eddie Howe is not one for knee-jerk reactions, but will know he is facing what could be a make-or-break period in the final seven games of the campaign.
United have three weeks to reset following the damaging Tyne-Wear derby defeat and this will be a true test of Howe's ability to galvanise his squad. With that in mind, here are the key items that should be on his to-do list in the coming days.
Give yourself a break
We've heard much about the effect of 51 games this season on the players, but what about Howe and his coaching staff? The mental strain of lurching from the intensity of matchdays straight into preparation for the next game will surely have taken its toll.
Can Howe actually step away? His intensity is one of the reasons he is such an excellent head coach, but everyone needs a break and he must use the coming days to recharge his batteries.
If ever there was a chance to take some time off, this is it, and it will help Newcastle in the long run.
Let the players recover
Let's be honest, Newcastle could really do without six players being called up for England international duty, even if the squad will be split over two days. There are plenty of players away with their countries, but Howe must allow those who remain on Tyneside to have a proper break in the coming days to refresh and recharge.
It's tempting to get straight back on the training pitch to iron out issues, but there is plenty of time to prepare for Palace and the final seven games of the season, so time away from the spotlight is vital at this stage.
Goalkeeper decision
It may not have been as eye-catching as some of Nick Pope's errors, but Aaron Ramsdale's weak punch certainly led to Sunderland's equaliser last Sunday, with many feeling the former should now return to the side.
Neither have been truly convincing this season but neither's confidence will grow while the debate around who is No 1 continues. Pope will feel he has earned one final shot before the season ends - but the goalkeeper issues must be addressed in the summer.
Drop Woltemade midfield experiment
At best he's done a job, but Nick Woltemade is not a central midfielder. He may have a role as a No 10, but he needs to be involved in the final third, and right now he's simply not offering the team enough.
Thankfully, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley should be available after the international break, meaning Woltemade can be used in a central attacking role, with Anthony Gordon switched back to the wing.
Set out clear transfer expectations
This is the first chance Howe will have to properly work with sporting director Ross Wilson on transfers, and they need to hit the ground running. Both hinted that plans were well in place during the January window, when they opted not to accelerate any deals.
They must strike early with clear targets already identified - and take a strong stance on any player wanting to leave. They cannot afford any transfer sagas to drag on, either incoming or outgoing.
Iron out Wissa issues
Yoane Wissa has scored 46 Premier League goals in 150 appearances. He may not be the ideal solution to United's goalscoring issues, but he's no mug. However, he has barely featured for Newcastle in the last month, despite apparently being fully recovered from the knee injury which overshadowed his first five months on Tyneside.
Howe was very keen to bring him to the club last summer but now seems reluctant to give him any gametime, prefering to turn to Will Osula as an alternative for Gordon, but United cannot allow their £55m investment to waste away on the bench.
Wissa has done little to strengthen his hand, but has started just two games since scoring against PSV in the Champions League in February. Gordon was performed very well in the central striker role, but Newcastle need Wissa to play his part before the season is out, which means sorting out whatever it is that is preventing Howe from using his No 9.
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