sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

&c

Newcastle served up a frankly unforgivable performance in the first league derby for almost a decade on Sunday, handing the wearsiders three points on a plate.

In the most 0-0 game I've ever seen, Nick Woltemade used one of his 12 touches all game to launch an astonishing header in off his own bar within 60 seconds of the second half starting.

In a game which saw only three shots on target between the teams (one for the hosts, one for us), once the own goal went in the result was never in doubt.

But let's rewind to an absolutely bewildering first half display, one in which we afforded sunderland the respect of 1970 Brazil, parking the bus from the off and never once trying to attack.

It would have been an embarrassing performance in any game, but away in a derby - I don't think it'll ever be forgotten.

Starting with Gordon and, surprisingly, Elanga either side of Woltemade, I assumed the plan would have been to play Big Nick as a false 9 and have him play balls through for the pacy wingers.

That would have made some tactical sense with sitting deep.

Unfortunately, our tactic was to sit deep, and that was literally it.

Woltemade scarcely won a duel all game, Gordon was 2025 Gordon rather than 2023 Gordon and I'm now seriously, seriously doubting what Elanga is supposed to bring to the team.

In a game in which I would only give Bruno any credit at all (for trying), Elanga was incredibly bad, routinely dribbling the ball out of play, miscontrolling easy balls, and playing short passes off target.

But far more damning was his effort level.

He looked every bit the man with a days-old child, and questions must be asked about the logic behind starting him here.

Behind him, Livramento had a torrid game, looking nervous and jumpy, although he gets credit for at least trying to push forward in the second half.

Post-game, Howe confirmed that the plan had simply been to sit deep in the first half.

Regular readers (of which I'm sure I have precisely none) will know that I'm just about the world's biggest Eddie Howe fan, but he almost seemed not to grasp the magnitude of this defeat.

Derby defeats happen - derby surrenders cannot.

We seemingly set up to surrender.

The criticism of Howe has always been the lack of a Plan B, but this now feels so exacerbated (particularly due to the consistent failures this season of Plan A) that it feels as though he's going to have to try something drastic before online grumblings, which are gathering pace, become something more concrete.

For my money, even a poor season wouldn't convince me he's not the man for the job, and I'd be giving him the opportunity to rebuild.

And make no mistake, it's looking like we need a rebuild, as this beautiful vintage of Newcastle seems to be ageing badly and unable to evolve.

Unfortunately, our lack of squadbuilding prowess is being shown up now, as a bad injury to Dan Burn leaves us with no fit left sided centre half and only Lewis Hall to be run into the ground again at left back.

Further criticisms of Howe have centred on his transfer preferences, and after having such a stellar track record in the market since the takeover, we're starting to look like we're not fit for purpose at the minute, and that can't be allowed to continue.

All of a sudden, the cup quarter final against Fulham looks huge, and not just because it's a cup quarter final, but for the immediate future of Eddie Howe and his players.