Long Reads
Author: Ciaran Donaghy - Senior Football Writer
It is back to Premier League business, away to a Wolves side rooted to the bottom of the table. The stakes for this one feel simple: keep league momentum alive, or let January start chewing through confidence again.
For the first time this season, Newcastle United came from behind to win a league game. That may prove to be the most important detail of all.
Up next is a very winnable home game against Daniel Farke's newly promoted Leeds United, who themselves have been on a good spell of form of late, so Howe's men will need to guard against complacency to get the job done.
Done properly, loans can strengthen the first team and quietly keep revenue ticking over. Done badly, they leave players stuck, supporters frustrated, and the club constantly firefighting problems of its own making.
Newcastle United are missing a midfielder whose default setting is aggressive positioning, vertical movement, and end product. Someone who does not wait for space to appear, but creates it by occupying it: Kees Smit.
There was no cathartic release at St James’ Park on Sunday. No early goal to calm the mood. No sense that Newcastle United were about to breeze through the afternoon. Instead, this felt like one of those games that tests a side’s temperament as much as its quality.
Crystal Palace arrive at St James’ Park at a time when United are crying out for back to back league wins. It has only happened once all campaign. That single fact frames this fixture far more than the league table does.
Newcastle United head to Turf Moor tonight with both the team and head coach Eddie Howe under serious pressure, largely of their own making.
Last night's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford should not be filed away as a narrow loss decided by fine margins. It should be understood as confirmation that Eddie Howe has reached the end of his cycle at Newcastle United.