Jacob Murphy points to lack of time on training pitch as big reason for Newcastle United's inconsistency
We can't find a better word to describe Newcastle United this season than 'inconsistent' without dipping into the well of negative words.
It seems like forever ago that I promised myself that I'd always try to find a positive spin when covering Newcastle United for a job. The internet is infamous for its toxicity, and I didn't want to add another voice to that choir.
Unfortunately, Newcastle have made it increasingly difficult to find the positives to pluck out of situations of late, and I have been guilty of reverting to my Mr Negative ways.
The other option is to spew out excuse after excuse for every poor performance, which I've also tried to do at times, one of which is pretty valid, and it's the one that Jacob Murphy turned to after the defeat against Everton on Saturday.
Jacob Murphy bemoans the lack of time on the training pitch as Newcastle's biggest issue
Once again, playing in the Champions League has proved to be a huge issue. Our squad still isn't strong or deep enough to handle it, but it's the lack of time between games that's really causing us problems, as Murphy explained.
“Usually, we have that training time where we can iron it out, but we're having to try and find solutions in-game, which is difficult.
“Last year, whenever we faced a challenge, we had a whole week to find an outcome that worked for everyone. But at the moment, we kind of have 90 minutes to find that solution and make it work. And it is going to be difficult, but the lads are trying the best they can.
“Second half, we sustained pressure and, in the league, that's probably been the best that we've pinned a team in for quite a while. So like I say about in-game training, I'm taking confidence from that and I'll be pushing that with the boys that we've done some really good things in that spell.
“We were calm, we were composed, we were finding the correct passes, and you know, even for Joey when he's cut back, he slowed the game down and he's found the correct pass. We're finding solutions and we just have to keep working at it because nothing's going to change between now and the end of the season. This is what it is and we've got to make it work and everyone's willing to put that work in.”
We're going to dine out on this excuse until the end of the season
This reality is why it's so hard to really turn on the team. The mistakes were made in the summer with recruitment; it wasn't good enough, and it certainly wasn't fast enough.
So many of the new players have had no time to really settle in before the season started and are learning on the go. We're not sure what Anthony Elanga's excuse is, mind.
It's looking increasingly likely that we won't have the distraction of Europe next season, and with a sporting director in place this time for the summer window, and a pre-season to work on this season's arrivals, we should be much stronger next season. Of course, without European football to offer, that will make Ross Wilson's job much harder unless he can convince players that their arrival will bring Champions League football back to Tyneside. He's going to have to sell the dream.
