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Eddie Howe isn't typically prone to histrionics or sweeping public statements. Based on his usual demeanor, his press conference following the weekend's loss to West Ham qualifies as a furious tirade. Newcastle took an early lead but the opposition were ahead by half-time, while also striking the woodwork and having a penalty revoked by VAR, prompting Howe to make a three substitutions at the break.

“The opening period was particularly irritating,” the coach said. “I almost could have taken anyone off and I think that was a reflection of our performance level in that moment during the match and it’s very, very rare for me to have that impression. Actually, I cannot recall I have during my tenure as manager of Newcastle, so I felt the team needed some shaking up at the break. That’s why I did what I did.”

Three key players were substituted at half-time and Newcastle did stabilise somewhat in the second half, but never really looking like they could get back into the contest against a side that had won only one of their last nine league matches. Given how packed the centre of the standings is, with a mere three-point gap separating third from 11th, and nine points between second and 17th, a sequence of 12 points from 10 games has not left Newcastle adrift but, equally, they cannot end the campaign in thirteenth place.

The Issue of Perception

The problem partially is one of perception. With the Saudi PIF, Newcastle possess the wealthiest backers in the globe. The assumption at the time the Saudi fund bought 80% of the team in recent years was that it would have a game-changing impact, similar to Roman Abramovich had at Chelsea or the City Group did at the Etihad. The difference is that those two owners took over before the advent of FFP regulations (and the current charges against Manchester City relate to if they violated those guidelines after they were in place).

Profit and sustainability regulations limit the capacity of proprietors, however rich, to invest funds on their teams and so in that sense probably might have slowed every Saudi attempt to elevate Newcastle to the level of City. However it wasn't necessary for the club's expenditure to have been so restrained as it has; they might have spent more and stayed inside the limit – or just accepted a relatively meagre Uefa fine since their big problem is more with the continental than the domestic rules.

Infrastructure Investment and PSR Rules

Besides which, infrastructure spending is exempted from Profit and Sustainability calculations; the easiest method to increase revenue to create additional financial headroom would be to expand or renovate the stadium. Given the location of the home ground, with protected structures on multiple sides, in reality that probably implies constructing an entirely new venue. Rumors circulated in March of possibly making the short move to a local park – resistance from local groups could surely have been overcome with a promise to create a replacement green space on the existing ground location – but there has not been any progress on that proposal. There has been substantial cutbacks from the Saudi fund on a variety of projects as it refocuses on local investments; the attitude to the football club appears completely in keeping with that strategic shift.

Player Sales Saga

The Alexander Isak saga was arose from that tension. A more confident leadership might have portrayed his sale as essential to release capital for additional investment; instead there was a vain effort to retain him. This resulted in Newcastle started the campaign amidst a sense of disappointment despite the signings of Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga. The opening was indifferent: one win in their first six games.

Yet it seemed a corner was reached. They had won five victories in six matches before Sunday, a run that included demolitions of a Belgian side and a Portuguese club in the Champions League. This explains the display against West Ham was such a shock. The problem maybe is that the team's style is very aggressive, very high-octane; a slight drop-off in intensity can have profound effects. Maybe the pressure of domestic, European and cup competition, five games in a fortnight, had taken its toll. Woltemade featured in all five games and looked particularly weary.

Reality of Modern Soccer

This is the nature of today's football. Managers have to be prepared to make changes. The manager has been unlucky that Wissa’s fitness issue has meant he is lacking attacking options but, regardless of how valid the explanations, Sunday’s showing was inexcusable –particularly following scoring first at a stadium primed to criticize its home team.

The Newcastle boss will wish it was just a blip, an off-day when everybody is below par at once, but if Newcastle are to qualify for the Champions League in the future, not to mention one day mount an genuine championship bid, they must not be as unreliable as they have been.