The international break came at a good time for Eddie Howe and Newcastle United.
After a flying start to the season that saw them smash Aston Villa 5-1 at home, the Toon Army lost three successive matches before the international break and while those defeats came in difficult fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton, questions are being asked of Eddie Howe for the first time in the job.
Newcastle have lacked intensity in matches and struggled to control proceedings in midfield, with the 3-1 defeat to Brighton away particularly concerning. Thus, the two-week hiatus has offered Howe and his coaching staff time to reflect on Newcastle’s positives and address the pressing concerns when the Premier League season resumes.
With that being said, here are three things we have learned from Newcastle’s first chunk of the 2023/24 season.
- Newcastle’s defensive problems
Newcastle’s success last season was built on a solid defensive organisation, but they have looked somewhat fragile at the back in the matches they have played so far this term.
The Magpies have conceded six goals across defeats to Man City, Liverpool and Brighton, and while they were tough opponents, Howe is still likely to be disappointed with the manner in which his team conceded goals. Even with a man advantage against Liverpool, they were cut through many times by the visitors and were eventually punished by a late brace from substitute Darwin Nunez.
Howe and his coaching staff have to map out a way to help Newcastle stop conceding goals at a brisk rate.
- Bruno Guimaraes looks off-form
Bruno Guimaraes has become an integral part of the team for Newcastle since joining in a £40m deal from Lyon in January 2022. Indeed, such has been the performances of Bruno, that there have been interest from clubs such as Real Madrid and Liverpool.
However, the Brazilian is currently off form and his subpar performances have reflected in the lack of Newcastle’s dominance in midfield. Bruno is still one of the best midfielders in the Premier League but he has looked a shadow of the player who made such a profound impact for the Magpies last term.
- Anthony Gordon looks a player reborn
After signing for Newcastle for £45m from Everton in January, Anthony Gordon failed to make the instant impact many hoped he would at St James’ Park. He could only muster a goal for Newcastle last term, scoring in the club’s final Premier League fixture in a 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
Having starred in England’s Under-21 Euros triumph earlier in the summer and won the Player of the Tournament award, the winger has managed to transform that form in Newcastle colours this season, bagging a goal and an assist each in four appearances so far. Gordon must have impressed Howe and his coaching staff on his return to training, having been selected in Newcastle’s early season fixtures.
Essentially, the young Englishman has played the whole way through the summer, which says a lot about his personality, passion and how much he wants to succeed.
