Saturday proved a pretty miserable day for Newcastle United.
Indeed, Newcastle were well-beaten at Fulham to bring their unbeaten run in the Premier League to what sadly was a rather predictable end.
Good results or not, even the most ardent supporter would surely admit things just haven’t got going for Eddie Howe’s side yet this season.
Their performance at Craven Cottage was so bad it was slammed as “awful” by Alan Shearer and questions about why they were so bad will need to be asked.
Where last season’s busy schedule and seemingly constant injury crisis at least offered mitigating circumstances for Howe, those excuses just aren’t there right now.
One bright spark, however, was Harvey Barnes.
The winger was afforded a start in west London and gave Newcastle hope with a fine finish just after half-time to make it 2-1.
Still, speaking after the game, the winger made an alarming admission.
Harvey Barnes makes alarming admission after Newcastle lose to Fulham
Barnes admitted that Newcastle were not solid or aggressive enough off the ball. That, frankly, is not good enough.
Players can have off days of course but to not fight for the cause is simply inexcusable.
“It wasn’t clicking for us,” he told BBC Sport.
“On the ball we weren’t good enough and off the ball, you can see with their goals, we weren’t at our level.
“It was disappointing to go in at half time and we needed a reaction. We got one – to a degree, anyway, because we didn’t get the result – but there were more promising signs in the second half.
“The basics weren’t there for us. Off the ball we were not as solid as we normally are and not as aggressive as we usually are on the ball. Our levels weren’t there.”
Harvey Barnes is Newcastle’s only positive so far this season
A cliché it may be but having Barnes back feels like a new signing. Already, the 26-year-old has matched the respective goal tallies managed last season by fellow right-wingers Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy (3).
Howe believes Barnes is unique and offers something different. On this season’s early evidence, it’s difficult to disagree.
There are bigger problems at Newcastle both on the field and off it, given the reports of discontent between Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell.
At least Barnes, however, is offering positive signs. Let’s hope the rest of the team join him in that soon.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
