Newcastle: More questions than answers as Eddie Howe’s men are yet to catch fire this season

There have certainly been glimpses of what this team could be in recent weeks.

There was a devastating first-half display against Chelsea, a lively hour away against Paris Saint-Germain, and a brilliant opening half-hour or so at Anfield.

But matches are not won by stealing.

It has been frustrating for the coaching staff as they have lacked practice time during a series of sustained games to really work on things and put it together as they have done during previous sticky periods.

Instead, players have come to rely on meeting rooms, analysis sessions and walkthroughs.

This is the reality of life at clubs aspiring to fight on multiple fronts, of course, but competing in four competitions was an unprecedented feat for Newcastle in the month of February.

The strict nature of the schedule has had a huge impact on the team – Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tino Liveramento and Fabian Schar are all currently sidelined, while Anthony Gordon suffered a hamstring problem on Wednesday night.

He has also had an impact on the adjustment of Newcastle’s summer players who, along with defender Malik Thiaw, are still finding their feet at the club.

Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltimade and Yoanni Wessa have joined for the final fortnight or so of a turbulent period, in which the club has operated without a sporting director and missed out on a host of big goals.

Remarkably, Newcastle are still searching for a stable combination in the final third despite spending £179m on strikers.

Elanga enjoyed a lively second-half performance at the Etihad Stadium, but Fultimadi was substituted at half-time – having failed to score since December – while a rusty Wessa missed a host of good chances in both matches.

It leaves Newcastle with more questions than answers as they embark on a run of games.

“Where does this leave our season?” Haw asked. “We are still fighting on many fronts.

“The games are coming thick and fast. There is no rest for us. We need to get back to winning ways as soon as possible. It’s the only thing that gives you new energy.”