Could it be understandable that Newcastle United have lost some of their fluency and sharpness after a summer of such steep upheaval?

Understandable, sure, but it's Eddie Howe's job to find a solution and restore United to a level of competency that will see them challenge for silverware and qualify for European competition once again.

Eight matches into the Premier League season, the Magpies languish in 14th place, though it's early days yet, and we need only flick back to the previous season of this gripping Toon show to note that Newcastle found form across the wintry months and set themselves up for their trophy-winning success.

While losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool was a bitter pill to swallow, Nick Woltemade has started his Tyneside career in fine fettle indeed, bagging five goals across his first eight matches in all competitions.

The German striker stands beneath a high ceiling, but not all of his attacking peers have caught the eye thus far, with Anthony Elanga yet to hit his stride following his big-money arrival this summer.

Elanga's start to life at Newcastle

Newcastle have work to do this season, and Elanga is a representation of that. Having joined St. James' Park from Nottingham Forest for £55m this summer, the 23-year-old arrived with a weight of expectation.

The Manchester United academy graduate made a name for himself at the City Ground, merging his blistering pace with a natural ease on the ball and creativity.

He has yet to register a goal contribution for Newcastle, but Elanga ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe for assists per 90, as per FBref, which emphasises the calibre of player yet untapped under Howe's wing.

The data pool is shallow, no doubt about that. And there is plenty of time for the Sweden international to click into gear and start performing at the top of his game this term, but there's no question that improvements are needed.

Howe has been admirable in his defence of the summer recruit, but he will tacitly harbour frustrations over his start to life in Newcastle, and will be working tirelessly toward unlocking latent qualities that have not yet surfaced.

A bedding-in period is understandable, and it's worth remembering. Elanga could quite easily be scapegoated for the club's current struggles, but there's another, more senior member of Howe's team whose displays this term have left much to be desired.

New technical director Ross Wilson will be keeping a close eye on the winger, in any case, with a preliminary list of wide forwards no doubt considered ahead of the next year of transfer markets.

And, unlike Elanga, time might be running out for this mainstay.

Newcastle must upgrade on Howe favourite

Newcastle have had a strong spine throughout the span of Howe's tenure, but that has started to flake away this year. Isak has gone, and now, Joelinton may well have entered the final stretch of his career in England's north east.

A lack of creativity has been the bane of Newcastle's season so far, and while more is expected from Elanga, Joelinton has struggled to perform in his central midfield berth, and the time may be approaching for the Brazilian to close the door on this journey, with United blogger Thomas Hammond even suggesting it's the "start of the end" for the 29-year-old, who has been "honking" for some time.

Newcastle World branded Joelinton with a 4/10 match rating after the defeat on the south coast against Brighton, hooked at half-time after a weak display, with Sofascore recording that he failed to create a chance or even attempt a dribble, also ceding possession and allowing Georginio Rutter through on goal.

He might be one of Newcastle's most recognisable stars, a staple of the Howe era, but all good things come to an end, and there's a sense that an upgrade could be struck in the centre of the park.

As Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali's central partnership continues to blossom, so does Joelinton's importance under the St. James' Park lights diminish.

His six Premier League starts this year have left much to be desired, and there's no question that a more overtly creative midfielder could be a welcome addition in the coming months, nestling into the frontal point of the engine room, buttressed and supplied by the elegant deeper midfielders.

With Jacob Ramsey returning to full fitness, it would not be a huge surprise to see the 6 foot 3 powerhouse start from the bench on more than a few occasions across the coming months. FBref show that he ranks only among the top 48% of midfielders for shot-creating actions and the top 67% for progressive passes per 90.

Joelinton's incredible resurgence in the Premier League will see him remembered as a hero for many years to come at Newcastle. The Carabao Cup champion and Champions League competitor has embodied the spirit of Howe's reign.

But Newcastle are evolving, and his usage may well have dried up as we enter this new era. Elanga has time to turn things around, but Joelinton's best days likely lie behind him.