Why Newcastle United Must Consider Major Transfer Change This Summer

Back to third in the Premier goes Newcastle United, Champions League aims in tact. The visit of Ipswich Town on Saturday felt like all or nothing for this remarkable season. Victory was crucial to calm any nerves after a heavy defeat to rivals Aston Villa last weekend, but it was also important to send a message with the manner of the performance.

Goals from Alexander Isak, Dan Burn and Will Osula secured three rather routine points at St James’ Park in the end. Defeat meant Ipswich was relegated back to the Championship after one season in the top division, as many had predicted before kick-off.

But it wasn’t straightforward. Ipswich frustrated Newcastle for long periods in the first half, and although the home side dominated from the start, the match didn’t turn in its favour until half time loomed. Defender Ben Johnson was sent off and then Jacob Murphy was fouled by Julio Enciso for a penalty, which Isak coolly dispatched. Ultimately that broke Ipswich’s resolve before Burn and Osula rounded off the win.

Kieran McKenna’s team was looking to disrupt Newcastle with a physical approach to the game; the referee upset both teams with his handling of it, but the home fans’ reaction was particularly vociferous and that noise helped ignite Newcastle’s performance.

Until then, an old issue with Newcastle’s tactical set up and ability to react in the game threatened to spoil the party. At its best, the home side is difficult to contain because of the way it moves the ball at pace and with purpose, pulling the opposition apart. But Ipswich’s intent to stop Newcastle hitting its stride meant that there were spells in the game when the tempo was stunted.

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe credited Ipswich for this afterwards, with star striker Isak struggling to impact the match.

“It was difficult, we expected it to be difficult,” Howe said. “They played low, protected space really well and minimized our opportunities to get behind their back line. It was a day to be patient; we knew chances would come, it was just about if we could take them when they arrived. The goal on half time is a massive turning point.

“In part Ipswich’s gameplan will have been to stop Alex, reducing the space. A low defensive line does limit his ability to bring his main strengths to the game. As a team, we still need to get him into the game; I felt we did, he improved as the game went on.

“Is he at the absolute top of his game? Possibly not, but that is the same with any player, there are peaks and troughs. The important thing is he is still contributing and scoring massive goals for us. We back him to rediscover that one or two percent in his game.”

Isak hit his 22nd Premier League goal of the season, but there has been a growing trend of recent matches that he hasn’t been as involved or sharp as he was a month or so ago, as Howe addressed. Opposition teams are now starting plans to stop Newcastle by focussing on Isak, but Newcastle needs to find better ways of freeing him.

Newcastle United’s lack of variety could be costly in future

There often isn’t much variety in Newcastle’s play; Plan A must be tried until it works. Howe’s set up requires machine-like efficiency, and the patterns of play are instantly recognizable. The midfield has worked well together since Sandro Tonali became the regular deep-lying playmaker, with Bruno Guimaraes given freedom to play further up the pitch, but their combinations are always very similar.

Joelinton, the other mainstay of the trio, is seeing a specialist over a knee problem. His physicality and power compliments Tonali and Guimaraes in certain games, but not when teams aren’t playing in transition. The Brazilian is best when required to win the ball back, but Newcastle had 78% possession, so wouldn’t have played to his strengths.

His replacement was Joe Willock, a rangy, athletic midfielder who helps Newcastle find a different gear in a game where there is space to exploit. Two seasons ago, when Howe’s preferred tactic was to win the ball as highly as possible after inviting pressure, Willock was arguably the player of the season. But now, Newcastle aims to win games in a more controlled way, but both Willock and Joelinton lack the guile and creativity to ‘unlock the door’ at a time when Newcastle need that ability more and more.

This summer, Newcastle will look to sign a new right-winger and a centre-back. Its midfield is seen as one of the best in the Premier League, and the continued development of teenager Lewis Miley is a positive.

But Miley, Tonali, Guimaraes and even Sean Longstaff, whose future is looking increasingly clouded, are all of a very similar profile too. Howe’s team is structured and can be difficult to stop in full flight, but it is also predictable; perhaps adding something unpredictable could be the next step.

The club is expected to qualify for the Champions League next season. St James’ Park is a difficult place for any team to go; the best chance of stopping Newcastle is to deny it space and ask questions of it creatively. Ipswich crumbled but succeeded initially; better teams can do so for longer. Newcastle must sign a playmaker this summer in order to progress without facing more problems.