Run of five defeats could lead to awkward queries this week, including why £124m of attacking talent is being underused
Eddie Howe is braced for forensic questioning by Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners at a Northumberland country house hotel in the middle of this week. Matfen Hall sells itself as a venue for rest and relaxation but Newcastle’s struggling manager knows that, with his future at St James’ Park in the balance, a scheduled “summit meeting” with the club’s chair, Yasir al-Rumayyan, and other key figures from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could prove stressful.
“It’s something we do every year,” says Howe, referring to the annual spring event at which the ownership quiz departmental heads. “But obviously things will be slightly harder for me this time.”
Given 14th-placed Newcastle have lost nine of their past 12 Premier League games and the past five in all competitions, Rumayyan’s ambition that they become the world’s “No 1” looks more remote than ever. Here are some questions Howe may face …
Nick Woltemade scored nine goals in his first four months after arriving from Stuttgart for a record £69m last August and Newcastle have earned 20 points from the nine home league games featuring the German as a No 9. In contrast, the eight matches at St James’ Park involving an alternative lone striker have produced six points.
