Is Ratcliffe’s Focus on ‘Marginal Gains’ Overshadowing Ashworth’s £55m Mistake?
In the world of Newcastle United, managers are either revered or condemned. Icons like Kevin Keegan, Sir Bobby Robson, and Rafa Benitez are celebrated, while most others are criticized from the start. Eddie Howe, the current manager, falls into the former category. He has been hailed by the Toon Army and local media as the acceptable face of the Geordie Arabia revolution. Under his guidance, Newcastle’s players have reached higher levels and the team has become a formidable force in the Premier League.
However, this season has seen a decline in Newcastle’s performance. Their recent 4-1 defeat to Arsenal leaves them in danger of falling into the bottom half of the league. The team lacked the bite and aggression they had shown in previous matches against Arsenal. Howe’s side currently has the sixth-worst defensive record in the league, and their home form has been disappointing with only one win in six matches.
While injuries can be blamed for some of Newcastle’s shortcomings, other clubs like Liverpool and Aston Villa have managed to thrive despite similar challenges. Additionally, the club’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is in the process of being poached by Manchester United, one of the clubs Newcastle aimed to surpass. Ashworth’s £55 million signing of Sandro Tonali, who is now banned from football due to a betting offense, is a glaring mistake that hasn’t stopped his departure.
The focus on ‘marginal gains’ by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford at Newcastle seems to overshadow Ashworth’s costly blunder. Eddie Howe has expressed concerns about Ashworth taking Newcastle’s secrets to Old Trafford, hinting at a lack of harmony within the club. The FA Cup fifth round now becomes crucial for Howe and two other managers of England’s richest clubs, Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino of Chelsea. A good cup run could change the mood for Newcastle and secure Howe’s position as manager.
Newcastle’s rise seemed unstoppable last season, with a Carabao Cup final appearance and hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. However, they finished bottom of their group and their chances of playing in Europe next season rely heavily on winning the FA Cup. The pressure is on for Howe and the club’s owners, who may not tolerate a mid-table finish and no trophy, despite the demands of the fanbase.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, known for his business acumen, would surely have taken note of Erik ten Hag’s praise for Manchester United players after their defeat to Fulham. Ratcliffe is focused on United’s future but has not shown long-term backing for ten Hag. The defeat to Fulham exposed the Dutchman’s questionable reaction, raising doubts about his suitability as a long-term manager for United.
The Carabao Cup final highlighted the contrasting fortunes of Liverpool and Chelsea. While Liverpool are praised for getting things right, it’s worth noting that Chelsea outbid them for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Caicedo’s performance in the final was underwhelming, and Chelsea dodged a bullet with Lavia’s absence. Luck plays a part in transfer dealings, and Chelsea were fortunate on this occasion.
Arsenal’s transformation under Mikel Arteta is reminiscent of Tony Pulis’ Stoke City days when they would bully Arsenal with physical tactics. Now, Arsenal is employing similar strategies, using four big center-backs and scoring more set-piece goals than any other Premier League team. The basic principles of Pulis-ball are fueling Arsenal’s title bid.
With Roy Hodgson’s departure from Crystal Palace, only four English managers remain in the Premier League. Chris Wilder, Sean Dyche, and Eddie Howe are all facing uncertain futures. The lack of English managers in the Championship’s top four clubs suggests that Gary O’Neil of Wolves might be the last native boss standing in the Premier League next season.
In a disappointing turn of events, QPR allowed Ilias Chair to play just one day after he received a two-year jail sentence for causing serious injuries to someone. This decision contradicts the club’s stance against violent crime and is deeply concerning.
After England’s series defeat to India, it is clear that Ben Stokes’ side will become even more attacking in the future as they aim to bounce back and regain their winning form.
In conclusion, Newcastle United’s decline under Eddie Howe raises questions about the club’s future. While their rise seemed unstoppable last season, this campaign has been marked by poor defensive performances and a lack of home form. Dan Ashworth’s impending departure to Manchester United highlights a significant blunder in the signing of Sandro Tonali. The FA Cup now becomes crucial for Howe and two other managers of wealthy clubs. Only success in the cup can secure Howe’s position and satisfy the expectations of the club’s owners. Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s focus on ‘marginal gains’ and Erik ten Hag’s questionable reaction to defeat raise doubts about their suitability for Manchester United. Chelsea’s dodged transfer bullets and Arsenal’s adoption of Pulis-ball tactics further add to the intrigue of the Premier League.