Crucial First 10 Games For Howe's Job?

The release of the 2026/27 Premier League fixtures has got the rumour mill grinding and the word coming out from some hacks is that Eddie Howe has 10 games to save his job. 

A Tough Start, Then No Excuses

Other than a new, and possibly back up keeper, and the Gordon sale, there are no other signings to predict how the squad and team will line up at the start of the season.

However the rumour is that, irrespective, a repeat of last seasons PL form and position will not be acceptable to the hierarchy and that Eddie Howe needs to show early doors that performances and especially results are in line with expectations.

Newcastle have been handed what is now becoming a regular tough start to the season when we have consistently faced one or more of the top six teams in our opening three fixtures,

This time it's Liverpool at home first, followed by a no doubt rejuvenated Spurs away following their relegation escape under new manger Roberto De Zerbi.

Our tough three game start concludes at SJP against last seasons 6th placed Bournemouth who won the corresponding game last season.

Following that tough three game opener, on paper at least, it gets easier.

Newcastle will then face newly-promoted sides Hull and Coventry, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, and Aston Villa. 

IMO it won't just be the board that gets panicky if we don't capitalise on that run of games and especially if we end up in the bottom half of the table. Patience among a section of fans was running short last season and that section could grow.

After the meeting at Matfen Hall attended by PIF, the board and Eddie Howe, CEO David Hopkinson refused to give assurances on the long term future of Eddie. Whilst that in itself wasn't unusual, Hopkinson could have swerved the question, but didn't.

One player doesn't make a team, but...

The effects of losing Isak only became really apparent after Woltemade's early goals dried up, but even during that period it was clear the striking dynamic had changed.

The attacking edge of Eddie's 4-3-3 system was based on getting early balls down the channels where Isak's pace carved open defences. The wingers also knew if they got the ball into the box Isak would always be there looking to capitalise.

Pace and box lurking isn't Woltemade's game and, without going into a full on tactical analysis, the fact is without Isak Eddie's 4-3-3 in the PL at least was a blunt weapon.

Wissa not hitting anywhere near the form expected didn't help and shunting Wolt back into midfield and playing Gordon as a ST was a patch up job.

It was only when Will Osula was given a run of starts late season that the pace and thrust of our sttacking style returned to what we've been used to, and results improved.

It's old hat now, but the indifferent form of new signings Wolt, Wissa and Elanga and to a lesser degree Ramsey was a big, but not the only, reason for last season's poor PL finish.

It's not all down to Eddie

They say a bad workman blames his tools.

Well... dead right to if they are blunt.

Exactly who was responsible for last summers blunt transfer window is irrelevant now.

Eddie now has the back up of a full management team behind him and they have responsibilities for that first ten game run too.

Money was already in the kitty and that is now bolstered by £70M for Gordon.

Here is my view...

I am not bothered at all who we sell... Tino, Hall, Tonali, even Bruno.

All I am bothered about is who we sign and whether those players are a success and take the club forward.

I remember when we sold Andy Cole and signed Les Ferdinand and Ginola with the cash. If the new signings make a better squad and team to me that is all that matters.

The recruitment team, whatever decisions they make, have to prove that they are up to the job and give Eddie a starting squad that leaves no excuses for a repeat of anywhere near last season's 12th place finish.

And, we need those decisions both in and out made early.

The last thing Eddie needs if we lose more key players is trying to integrate new signings and new tactics just days before a ball is kicked this coming season.

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