Newcastle United: Things have gone stale - here's how I'd fix it

It doesn’t happen often, and it’s hard to argue they deserved it, but Newcastle United were handed only their second defeat of the calendar year at St James’ Park.

Brighton and Hove Albion travelled back south with all three points thanks to an opportune, against the run of play Danny Welbeck finish, that underlined the Magpies’ are still a long way short of where they were and where they want to be.

Here’s the five things we learned from the encounter.

Transfers needed now more than ever

If ever there was a team in need of an attacking boost or reboot, it has to be this Newcastle one.

Having scored eighty odd goals last season, even netting for fun when they struggled, this team looks barely capable of breaking down the door of any team - even League Two Wimbledon.

Their personnel and approach, to me, looks a little tired and weary. It feels stale, like it’s been standing still for too long.

Three windows have passed since the team was significantly improved, although Lewis Hall might stake claim to breaking that statistic.

When you stand still, you go backwards, it’s just simple football logic. And particularly in an attacking sense, this team has not progressed since it united Alexander Isak with the support of Anthony Gordon. Neither player has been supported adequately with competition, or a partner on the right. That NEEDS to change in January. Signings up top and on the right are a MUST.

Have NUFC disarmed themselves with change of approach?

What made Newcastle great, mostly the season before last, was their approach. They didn’t look to dominate with the ball, they just looked to torment for it high up the pitch, or soak up the opposition and blitz them on the break. It was a formula which worked perfectly, suiting the speed, dynamism and physicality of the likes of Joe Willock, Joelinton and others.

Now, any team at the top end will always look to progress beyond that, with a want to have a little bit more control, measure and influence of proceedings. But in transitioning, have Newcastle lost the main tool in their armoury?

It is without doubt Newcastle are controlling more of games this season, especially when it comes to possession, but they’re looking less likely to score and less and less like what made them a joy to watch.

It’s an interesting one for Eddie Howe to ponder.

Howe under pressure?

Is the head coach under pressure? On YouTube, I was presented with a whole host of anti-Howe, ‘Howe out’ messages and others questioning his approach, changes and tactics.

Social media, and its very reactionary and direct nature, doesn’t always make for the best barometer of true feeling, but it must also not be totally discounted.

Now, while I think few are absolutely in that above ‘Howe out’ camp, I do think many a Newcastle fans, and rightly so, are critiquing what they’re seeing from their head coach. And it would be daft to think the powers that be at St James’ Park aren’t doing the same.

If Newcastle don’t get results in their next two in the Premier League and fail to progress in the Carabao Cup, I do genuinely think pressure will ramp up - and again I think it will be totally justified.

It’s a manager’s job to turn the tide, and Howe has to get his players firing again, somehow.

I’d say all is not wrong at Newcastle, but I definitely think something is missing and things just feel a bit tired and weary at the moment.

What answers does Tonali provide?

Technically, there’s A LOT to like about Sandro Tonali. He’s a slick, fast-moving midfielder who is still finding his feet after a difficult start to life at United. However, I’m yet to see what questions he answers in this team, or what conundrums he poses for the opposition.

Having paid nearly £60million for the player, is it fair to say we’d expected a little more by now? I’ve not seen the player grab any game by the scruff of the neck, nor has he looked like creating or scoring really. He’s not really had any major stand out performances either, bar flashes against Aston Villa and maybe Nottingham Forest on return. So, to me, in any fair analysis, it has to be asked, what is he providing?

He is neat and tidy and technically better than all around him. But rank him against the likes of Joelinton and Sean Longstaff, who play the same position, and he doesn’t look the same attacking threat.

Again, it’s on Howe to ensure he’s getting the most out of a player who obviously has talent, but still doesn’t feel like he’s the perfect fit in this team or system.

Lewis Hall a reason to still be positive?

The more I see, the more I like. Thought I’d end this one on a positive note. Lewis Hall is looking, to me, like he has a higher ceiling than any other young player at the football club.

He’s got a lovely left foot, is learning the role and his responsibilities and is starting to now thrive at left-back.

There will be bumps in the road still, he’s young, but it’s clear to see he’s getting better and better the more he’s trusted by Howe. Maybe he was right to hold him back for so long, which is also a cautionary tale when it comes to Will Osula, too.