You need more than Wood to fix this, Eddie
Late Hornets equaliser saves Ranieri and is a huge reality check for Howe
FROM smiling faces to hanging on like loose teeth, this really was a smack in the mouth for Newcastle United.
A sold-out St James’ Park was in full voice with three minutes remaining as the hosts headed for just a second victory of the season.
It says much about the quality at the bottom of the Premier League — or rather, the lack of it — that it would have been enough to emerge from the relegation places, demoting their opponents Watford in the process. It might even have marked Claudio Ranieri’s final act as Hornets boss.
But then, a twist in the tale. The visitors sprung an attack down the right, substitute Kiko Femenia dug out a cross and Joao Pedro muscled between two defenders to direct a cute header into the far corner.
St James’ fell silent, a hush soon to be invaded by groans of anxiety as Watford looked likely winners during added-time.
Come the end, the final whistle was a relief for Eddie Howe, not in celebration of three points but in preservation of one. That is now 21 points Newcastle have lost from winning positions this season.
They led thanks to their only shot on target, in the 49th minute. It was, in fairness, a moment of class hardly in keeping with the rest of the contest. Neither was it in keeping with Allan Saint-Maximin’s otherwise exasperating display. But that is the price on the ticket with a maverick such as him.
Watford right-back Jeremy Ngakia dallied in possession and Saint-Maximin stole by the touchline. It was not a goalscoring opportunity, but the Frenchman soon made it one, driving into the penalty area before hammering into the bottom corner.
Howe’s side retreated thereafter and never looked like extending their lead. Watford spurned a couple of openings through Josh King and former Magpie Moussa Sissoko, but the game was drifting towards a home win when Pedro salvaged the point that keeps his team the right side of the dotted line.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were overtaken by Norwich. That in itself is rather damning, given the Canaries have already been written off as the division’s dead men.
Howe and his squad are due to fly to Saudi Arabia next weekend for a warm-weather training camp, pending Covid-19 and logistical sign-off. The club’s Saudi owners are expecting them but maybe the attention such a trip would attract is not the best idea when the head coach would perhaps prefer some time away from the glare to work on his side’s shortcomings.
Howe certainly believes this is not the time for needless noise. ‘It was a very quiet dressing room afterwards, reflecting on the game,’ he said. ‘That’s the way I want it. I don’t think it’s the time for shouting and screaming. I don’t think the players would welcome that. It would just air my frustrations on them and I don’t think that’s healthy. I need to help them and work with them on the training pitch.’
One thing he will have to find a way to address is the manner in which his side retreat into their shells when they take the lead.
‘I think it’s psychological,’ he said. ‘There was a thought to protect what we had, but so early in the game we lost our attacking threat and that should never be the case. I just hope this doesn’t leave mental scars for the players.’
Supporters of both teams were mentally scarred after a dire first half. It looked exactly what it was — 19th versus 17th. Of 19 efforts on goal, only one found the target. Even then, a header from Watford debutant Samir landed softly in the arms of Martin Dubravka.
The stadium TVs here usually run endless replays during half-time. The punters had not even taken the head off their beer by the time that lowlight package had expired.
The one clip that did get an airing was a Joelinton hook that clipped the Watford bar on 11 minutes. The Brazilian was the best player in that opening period but he should have scored twice, later stabbing wide at the far post. Perhaps that is why he is thriving as a midfield destroyer. He used to be destructive in attack, too, only not in a way beneficial to his team.
It was a half to forget, meanwhile, for £25million Newcastle debutant Chris Wood, who twice headed over
from decent positions. His second half was not much better, although the service was non-existent.
Newcastle, you feel, are going to need more than Wood as attacking reinforcement this month if they are ever to escape the dreaded bottom three.