Results won't change overnight for Newcastle following takeover

Newcastle United may be under new ownership, but as we've seen in the two games played so far in this new era, results aren't going to turn immediately.

Fans widely celebrated the controversial takeover, marking the end of the hated Mike Ashley era and the start of a fresh chapter with new owners committed to spending and investment.

There was even an immediate lift when Callum Wilson scored just two minutes into the last weekend’s home clash against Tottenham at St James’ Park. But the Magpies eventually crumbled to a defeat after conceding three times in the first half without further reply, and were fortunate to come away from Selhurst Park with a point against a wasteful Crystal Palace.

Steve Bruce may have been given the boot, but this is still the same squad, the same formation and tactics and, now with the exception of the former manager, the same staff.

Crystal Palace should have been out of sight by the time Wilson equalised out of nowhere for Newcastle on Saturday. On another day, the 1-1 draw could have been a 3-0 loss.

The visiting Magpies managed just 25% possession over the course of the game, failing to create anything meaningful. Palace, meanwhile, dominated, should have made more of all the ball they had and were left ruing Christian Benteke’s wayward finishing when it came to the few clear cut chances they did carve out. A late VAR intervention also contributed to the final result.

As a whole unit, this Newcastle squad has been proven to not be good enough over an extended period. It needs a major overhaul and investment before results will consistently change for the better and it would have been naïve to think a major upturn would come immediately.

The next two transfer windows are going to be of huge importance to Newcastle as they begin to shape a new squad. In January, the focus will be on recruiting players to preserve their Premier League status, with summer more about improving in the longer-term.

Only then can the club begin to seriously think about realising higher ambitions. It is already obvious that there is no quick fix.

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