Unless you're Eddie Howe or one of his players speaking to the press, then it's very hard to see the positives in Newcastle United's recent performances.
It takes a certain level of delusion to come out and say that we played well on Saturday. We'll accept that against West Ham on Monday there was some good stuff, but other than the free-kick routine that led to Marc Guehi's own goal on Saturday, we're struggling to find positives from that performance.
Eddie Howe and Anthony Gordon were able to see them, maybe it looked different from pitch level. However, both weren't able to deny the fact that the team just isn't good enough in the final third - but Stevie Wonder could see that.
On Sunday the True Geordie dialled back the years and put out a ranty video about the state of Newcastle. It has been a while since we've seen that, but it is a clear indication of a sign of the times.
Alan Shearer is also starting to reach for that big red panic button after admitting that he's concerned about the current performances while answering Gary Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“I am [concerned], yeah, because what have they got? Well, I think they’ve got 14 goals they’ve scored in 13 games. Three of them were away to Forest.
“Last year or maybe the year before, so many times we spoke about Newcastle, their energy, their pressing, how they got after you. And I don’t see a lot of that. It’s pretty worrying, particularly in the final third.
“I mean, [Alexander] Isak went off injured. He chose not to put [Callum] Wilson on at that time. He brought him on with about 15, 20 minutes to go.
“And other players have to start and score goals. Gordon has to score more. Barnes has to score more. Joelinton does have to. [Joe] Willock has to. Isak has four or five in the league this season.
“I hope he’s not too badly injured and can play on Wednesday against Liverpool. So, yeah, it’s definitely concerning, absolutely. And like Aston Villa, Newcastle, I think, in the bottom half, maybe 11th or 12th in the league.
“So, yeah, not great from Newcastle. They have to improve.”
Something is definitely wrong after going from such a free-scoring side last season to being absolutely petrified of scoring in this one.
There has been a decline in how well Newcastle have performed throughout 2024 with the odd bright spot peppered in there, just good enough and long enough to prevent mass hysteria.
But those Geordie smiles are starting to crack. The team may get a pass on Wednesday as Liverpool are excellent this season and always have our number, but another poor performance against Brentford on Saturday could be catastrophic in terms of the mood around the club.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
14 | 18 | 35 |
2 |
Chelsea
|
15 | 17 | 31 |
3 |
Arsenal
|
15 | 14 | 29 |
4 |
Manchester City
|
15 | 6 | 27 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
|
15 | 1 | 25 |
6 |
Aston Villa
|
15 | 0 | 25 |
7 |
Brighton
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
8 |
Bournemouth
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
9 |
Brentford
|
15 | 3 | 23 |
10 |
Fulham
|
15 | 2 | 23 |
11 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
15 | 12 | 20 |
12 |
Newcastle United
|
15 | -2 | 20 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
15 | 1 | 19 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
15 | -8 | 18 |
15 |
Everton
|
14 | -7 | 14 |
16 |
Leicester
|
15 | -9 | 14 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
|
15 | -6 | 13 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
15 | -13 | 9 |
19 |
Wolves
|
15 | -15 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
|
15 | -20 | 5 |