The most disappointing thing about Newcastle’s recent slump is the team’s lack of attacking threat.
At some point, Nick Pope and the rest of the record-breaking defence was always going to be breached, but the hope was that Eddie Howe’s frontline would be able to bail them out of trouble.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon represent almost £100m worth of investment this season alone, while Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson have both been in fine fettle at points.
Still, after big wins over Fulham, Brentford and Aston Villa before the World Cup, the team now look short of ideas.
Bad finishing costing Newcastle
Indeed, that particularly cost them against Manchester City.
Any team visiting the Etihad Stadium is always going to struggle to create chances, that much is obvious. However, what is most frustrating about Saturday’s loss to the champions is that Howe’s side did have opportunities.
Wilson, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff were all wasteful, much to the annoyance of a certain Alan Shearer.
Taking to Twitter, the club legend vented his frustration.
Shearer right to be angry – this is costing Newcastle
Howe will surely need to change things up. Isak seems a somewhat obvious replacement for Wilson, while perhaps Almiron needs to make way for Gordon, with Allan Saint-Maximin on the opposite flank.
Chelsea are the only team in the top half to have scored fewer goals (24 to 35) and no one has drawn more times (11). That lack of firepower is threatening to ruin Newcastle’s best season in years.
Improvements needed.