The golden opportunity Newcastle United can not let pass as difficult season continues

There can’t be too many people that pine for the dark nights, cold weather and seemingly never-ending month of January.

This is a month where the post-Christmas hangover means it feels like minutes become hours, hours become days and days become weeks. However, for Newcastle United, January can not come soon enough as the Magpies look to move on from two underwhelming transfer windows and boost Eddie Howe’s squad in a bid to revitalise a season that already seems to be flagging.

Last January, hamstrung by their ongoing battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, Newcastle failed to add to their ranks throughout the first month of the year, despite Howe’s ranks being decimated by injury. The summer was meant to be respite - but it proved to be somewhat chaotic as sporting director Dan Ashworth finally departed for Manchester United and his replacement, Paul Mitchell, arrived amid questions of his relationship with Howe.

The Magpies boss also lost two unwavering supporters as Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi departed the club almost three years after playing lead roles in the Saudi-led takeover at St. James’ Park. Financial matters came into play once again as talented youngsters Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson were sold to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively to help their now former avoid a possible fine and points deduction for breaching profit and sustainability.

That came after the Magpies had designated the possible sales of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak as ‘last resorts’ amid reported interest from a number of Premier League rivals. Gordon has since put pen to paper on a new deal at St. James’ Park and there have been reports suggesting the Magpies are keen to tie down Isak’s future, despite the Sweden star having considerable time remaining on his current contract.

The new arrivals at St James Park offered little in the way of guidance over how Newcastle could take the next step in their bid to become regular challengers for major honours over the coming years. Sheffield United forward William Osula is viewed as a long-term project after moving to Tyneside and Lloyd Kelly’s arrival on a free transfer simply filled a hole in the squad, rather than being viewed as an upgrade.

The signing of Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was said to have smoothed the wheels of Anderson’s switch to the City Ground as both clubs looked to avoid PSR punishments and it is hard to see where the Greece international fits within the Magpies ranks. Veteran keeper John Ruddy also joined after leaving a Birmingham City side that were relegated into League One last season. The only deal that brought clear and concise thinking seemed to be the permanent move for Lewis Hall after the Chelsea youngster settled into life on Tyneside during a season-long loan spell last season.

With such an unusual and underwhelming spell of transfer activity over the last two windows, you could forgive big-hitters such as Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali for wondering if the club they joined is the ambitious, forward-thinking clubs they were sold during their negotiations over a move to the North East. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea left Newcastle in the lower half of the Premier League table and they must overcome the same opposition to keep alive one route to silverware in a Carabao Cup tie at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night. By the majority of statistics, the Magpies are performing like a mid-table Premier League side - and by the most important outlet, the eyes, they appear to be a such, despite possessing some incredibly talented players throughout their squad.

The St. James’ Park hierarchy have a lot to prove to their supporters, to their players and, perhaps most importantly, to their manager, who has been left to plough on with a squad that has been shuffled rather than improved. Howe is not faultless and he should be open to criticism over his side’s inconsistency and the lack of energy, intensity and drive that became the hallmarks of a Magpies side that gatecrashed the Premier League top four two seasons ago. There seems little balance, cohesion and clarity in key areas of the pitch, every game appears to be a grind, rather than the all-action, non-stop din that supercharged Newcastle into the Champions League and their first major cup final this century. Despite tinkering with his squad throughout the season, a perfect blend appears to remain out of reach.

With the benefit of hindsight, Newcastle are in a far better place than they were when the PIF-led consortium ended their former owner’s control of the club and when Howe replaced predecessor Steve Bruce in the dugout. But it is time for the Magpies to move on from simply improving on that unquestionably low bar - it is time for the club’s owners, Mitchell and Howe himself to take the opportunity to drive the club on from what appears to be a grinding pause. There are still two months until the January transfer window opens and Newcastle must have a clear and concise plan for their recruitment during the first month of the new year. A centre-back, a winger and a striker are required and there is an increasing argument to suggest a more defensive-minded midfield should also be added to the list of wants.

The darkest month of the year offers an opportunity for an injection of hope for the Magpies - and it is an opportunity they can not let pass.