Chris Sutton highlights ‘the biggest issue for Newcastle’ this season

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Chris Sutton has voiced his view on the biggest challenge facing Newcastle United this season.

Newcastle United have had a mixed start to the new Premier League season. Their opening day thrashing of Aston Villa has been followed by defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool.

In both of the losses, and against the Reds especially, Newcastle showed a good deal of quality. However, errors and lapses in judgement conspired to undermine their performances on both occasions.

Eddie Howe has brought the Magpies a long way since his appointment at St James’ Park in November 2021. Last season, he surpassed all expectations by delivering a 4th-place finish in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification for the Tyneside club.

However, such success is in many ways a double-edged sword. Former Chelsea striker and pundit Chris Sutton certainly believes that Newcastle will face a tougher test this time around. 

Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Sutton said, “I’m not going to start doubting Newcastle based on losing a game against Liverpool, losing against Manchester City…the biggest issue for Newcastle is the expectation level based on how they overachieved last season. Now, people are really scrutinising Eddie Howe, but I think all throughout Eddie Howe’s managerial career, he’s basically had the same philosophy and that is to be positive, to try and take the game to the opposition. I’m not going to be one who doubts Eddie Howe and the way his teams play.”

Newcastle adapting to life at the top

It is definitely true that no opposition will take Newcastle lightly this season. This may well mean that Howe has to adapt his tactics and alter the way his team plays at times. More and more sides are likely to come to St James’ Park and sit deep in a low block, aiming to soak up pressure, rather than take the game to Newcastle, who love to hit opponents on the counter-attack themselves.

There could be some struggles for the club as they grow into their position as one of the top teams in England. Howe, himself, has never managed at Champions League level before either, and there will be a learning curve that comes with that.

Newcastle have recruited well. Sandro Tonali, in particular, looks to be an inspired addition. There is plenty of quality on the books in general, and in Howe they have a fantastically gifted manager. What is required now is patience. The journey to the top of the fame was never going to be entirely smooth.