There have certainly been glimpses of what this team could be in recent weeks.
There was a devastating first-half display against Chelsea, a spirited hour away to Paris St-Germain and a fine opening half an hour or so at Anfield.
But games are not won in snatches.
It has been a frustration of the coaching staff that they have lacked the training time during an unrelenting run of fixtures to really work on things and piece it all together like they have during previous sticky spells.
Instead the players have come to rely on meeting rooms, analysis sessions and walk-throughs.
This is the reality of life at clubs who aspire to fight on multiple fronts, of course, but competing in four competitions was an unprecedented feat for Newcastle going into February.
The relentless nature of the schedule has had a knock-on effect on the squad – Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar are all currently sidelined, while Anthony Gordon hobbled off with a hamstring issue on Wednesday night.
It has also had an impact on the adaptation of Newcastle’s summer signings who, aside from defender Malick Thiaw, are still finding their feet at the club.
Thiaw, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa all joined in the final fortnight or so of a turbulent window, in which the club operated without a sporting director and missed out on a host of top targets.
Newcastle, remarkably, are still searching for a settled combination in the final third despite spending £179m on forwards.
Elanga enjoyed a lively second-half cameo at the Etihad, but Woltemade was substituted at half-time – having failed to score since December – while the rusty Wissa missed a host of good chances in both legs.
It leaves Newcastle with more questions than answers as they embark on a crunch run of fixtures.
“Where does that leave our season?” Howe asked. “We’re still fighting on several fronts.
“The games are coming thick and fast. There’s no let-up for us. We need to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible. It’s the only thing that gives you new energy.”