Newcastle United may have spent heavily and brought in a wave of new faces, but there is a growing feeling that the squad is still not built strongly enough to compete week after week across domestic and European competitions.
That opinion has been voiced clearly by former Newcastle winger Chris Waddle, who believes Eddie Howe is still several players short of having a group capable of consistently matching the Premier League’s elite.
Over the summer, Newcastle invested more than £250 million in new signings. The club added Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale, with the aim of building depth, improving quality and preparing the squad for the demands of a long and intense season.
On paper, it looked like a major step forward. In reality, the results and performances have been uneven, and the team has struggled to find a stable rhythm as the months have gone by.
Injuries have played a big role in that inconsistency. Key players have missed time, particularly in defence, and the workload placed on those who remain available has started to show.
As the festive period approaches, Newcastle look physically and mentally drained, and the intensity that once defined Eddie Howe’s side has dipped noticeably in certain matches.
Waddle pointed to the recent performance against Sunderland as a clear example of a team running low on energy. Newcastle, usually known for their aggressive pressing and front-foot style, appeared cautious and passive.
Instead of pushing high and forcing mistakes, they sat deeper and looked more concerned with protecting themselves than imposing their game. For Waddle, that shift was not about tactics alone, but about fatigue.
He explained that when a team starts to look slower, less sharp and less confident, it is often because the players are simply worn out. The constant travel, late nights, hotel stays and disrupted routines that come with European football take their toll.
Even well-paid professionals are not immune to physical and mental exhaustion, especially when the same core group is asked to perform every three or four days.
Against Sunderland, Newcastle struggled to match the energy of their opponents. They did not press with the same bite, they did not take players on with confidence, and they failed to control the tempo of the game.
Sunderland, by contrast, looked fresher and more aggressive, and that difference was obvious from early on.
Home games have often masked these issues. At St James’ Park, the atmosphere lifts the players and pushes them forward. The crowd demands intensity, and more often than not, the team responds.
Away from home, particularly when European fixtures are added into the schedule, those energy levels are harder to maintain. Without fresh legs to rotate in, performances can drop quickly.
This is where Waddle believes Newcastle are still falling short. While the top clubs can rotate four or five players without losing quality, Howe does not yet have that luxury.
When his strongest eleven is unavailable, his options become limited very quickly. He may only have two or three players he truly trusts to come in and maintain the same level. Beyond that, the gap in quality becomes a concern.
According to Waddle, this is why Newcastle need at least six or seven more top-level players. Not squad fillers, but players who can step straight into the starting lineup or push existing starters without weakening the team. Building that kind of depth is expensive and takes time, but it is essential if Newcastle want to regularly compete with the best in England and Europe.
Eddie Howe himself has admitted that the situation may force the club’s hand in the January transfer window. Defensive injuries, in particular, have left the squad stretched, and there is an understanding that reinforcements may be needed sooner rather than later. January is never an easy market, but Newcastle may have little choice if they want to protect their season.
As things stand, Newcastle head into their upcoming clash with Chelsea sitting 12th in the Premier League table. They are six points behind Chelsea, who currently occupy fourth place, highlighting how tight the race for European spots remains. Despite their league position, there are still positives to take. Newcastle have once again reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, showing their ability to perform in knockout competitions. In the Champions League, they currently sit 12th in the standings, which would be enough to secure a play-off place.
However, those achievements will mean little if the squad continues to run out of steam. Without added quality and depth, the risk is that Newcastle fade as the season reaches its most demanding stages. Waddle’s message is clear and direct. The ambition is there, the manager is capable, and the club has already invested heavily. But to truly compete on all fronts, Newcastle need more. Until that gap is filled, inconsistency and fatigue are likely to remain part of the story.
