Is Sitting Deep After Taking the Lead an Eddie Howe Tactic?

After racing into a two-goal lead inside seven minutes against Burnley, Newcastle United were soon pushed onto the back foot as the home side began to wrestle momentum back.

It is not the first time this season Newcastle have struggled to control games after going ahead, prompting growing debate among supporters about whether defending deeper to protect a lead is a deliberate tactical instruction from Eddie Howe.

When the same situation repeats often enough, it inevitably invites interpretation. The question, then, is whether this pattern reflects a deliberate choice from Eddie Howe, or a series of recurring problems Newcastle have yet to resolve.

The Pattern Fans Are Seeing

With 13 points already lost from winning positions - the joint highest in the Premier League - concern among Newcastle fans as to the reason is well founded.

It cannot be denied that what is consistently being seen is that, instead of using going ahead as a cue to attack aggressively, all too often it is the opposition who start to dominate possession.

Instead of being confident that taking the lead is a sign that we will go on to win the game, fans are now increasingly of the opinion that 'the game isn't over' even when we go two goals up as we did against Burnley.

Is it an Eddie Howe Tactic?

l don't believe it is and especially not early in a game. Instructing his Newcastle team to defend deep after just seven minutes, against a Burnley team lacking in confidence and with no wins in nine games, wasn't an Eddie Howe instruction. It was down to failing to control the tempo of the game.

When a home team especially falls behind - and this happens at St James' Park - the home crowd nearly always rise and urge the team on for an equaliser. It can be a wakening call not just for the crowd but also for the losing team and this is when the top teams respond by staying calm and sticking to their game plan.

Defending a lead with only a few minutes of the game remaining is something that all teams practice, but fans are accusing Eddie Howe and his team of resorting to a defensive position way too early in the game.

Last night was typical of how this Newcastle team reacts. After two goals in quick succession instead of dictating the game it was Burnley who came on strong.

Why are we defending deep?

In my opinion it isn't a tactic, it is a problem with game management and control,

Our issue isn't going ahead in games, it is how we respond to the opposition seeking to get back on level terms.

The prime way to stay in control and stop the surge from the other team - especially in the 5-10 minutes after scoring - is to stay calm and keep possession. That is the opposite of what often happens and a prime example was last night against Burnley.

Instead of slowing the game down, keeping possession, and waiting for the right time to break and attack - Newcastle tried to match Burnley's frenzied tempo and whatever game plan we had was lost in the melee.

Burnley, and their fans, sensed that they could get back into the game and that is exactly what happened. From a commanding 2-0 lead, at 2-1 Newcastle were now in the familiar territory of facing an equaliser and more dropped points.

Both teams had chances in the second half and it was only a mistake from Martin Dubravka that led to a third goal from Bruno that calmed the frayed nerves of the fans.

How does Eddie Howe sort the issue?

What isn't helping is that other than Miley, Hall and Thiaw no other players are consistently hitting top form. That is not just a recent issue, it's been the case all season.

Plus, rotation and injury have given Newcastle's defenders a rest and up front the wingers have been swapped around regularly.

That hasn't been the case in midfield where, despite the odd game out, Bruno and Tonali have been the mainstays and the hectic fixture list seems to have blunted their form - and that is especially true of Tonali.

Ramsey and Willock when stepping in have been way off the level needed and Jo is not the power he once was. Newcastle's midfield, often lauded as the best in the League, is not functioning anywhere near the standard that gained those plaudits.

If a team doesn't control midfield, they don't control the tempo of the game, and whatever tactics and game plan is set for a match that plan is rarely enforced.

Newcastle's problem isn't just in midfield, there is a lack of consistent high quality performances right across the squad.

But... without an in-form Bruno, Tonal and Jo or ANO we will struggle to control games, find consistency and go on the running win we need.

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