Newcastle's European Brilliance Contrasts with Domestic Woes
Eddie Howe and Anthony Gordon celebrated with traveling fans after Newcastle's emphatic 6-1 victory over Qarabag in Baku, showcasing the team's European prowess. However, this success masks a deeper tactical paradox that threatens their Premier League ambitions.
The Anthony Gordon Enigma: Foreign Soil vs Domestic Battlegrounds
Anthony Gordon, much like Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, appears more confident on foreign stages. In the Champions League, Gordon has netted 10 goals in just nine games, while in the Premier League, he has managed only three in 21 appearances, with two being penalties. This disparity highlights a broader issue for Newcastle: they excel in European competitions but struggle consistently at home.
Gordon, often deployed on the left or recently as a centre-forward, embodies this inconsistency. He scored four goals against Qarabag in Azerbaijan, yet his blistering pace and energy may not suffice against more resilient Premier League opponents like Everton.
Tactical Evolution Under Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe has undergone a significant tactical shift, moving away from Arsène Wenger's possession-based ideals to embrace high-pressing strategies inspired by Andoni Iraola and Diego Simeone. Newcastle are second only to Bournemouth in athleticism, relying on ferocious pressing to dominate games. However, this approach has left them vulnerable to burnout and lacking creativity in possession.
Howe admitted, "We're better out of possession. Ultimately our preferred way of play is to go for the throat and try to control games with relentless pressing and really good physical performances." Yet, this style has seen Newcastle drop to 11th in the Premier League, level on points with Sunderland, as opponents cede possession and exploit their predictability.
The Need for a Stylistic Switch
The exhaustion from intense pressing has led to injuries and inconsistent performances. For instance, Barcelona's Pedri outmaneuvered Newcastle in a 2-1 defeat at St James' Park, highlighting the limitations of chaos-based tactics against ball manipulators. Howe experimented with Simeone-inspired long-ball tactics, such as directing kicks into touch for strategic throw-ins, but this was abandoned after players like Sandro Tonali deemed it "anti-football."
Nick Woltemade, with his technical skills and improvisational play, represents a potential key to a more controlled style. Shifted from No. 9 to No. 10 and recently to a left-sided No. 8, Woltemade's ability to play between the lines could help Newcastle adopt a tempo-controlling approach, reducing fatigue and injury risks.
Future Prospects and Challenges
If Newcastle aspire to challenge for top honors, a philosophical switch towards a more considered, possession-based game may be imperative. Howe's ability to reinvent his tactics while maintaining European success remains one of football's most intriguing questions. As they face Qarabag in the Champions League playoff second leg and Everton in the Premier League, the team must balance their European swagger with domestic resilience to achieve lasting glory.
