Newcastle United are not the team they were last season.
Indeed, while this season has brought great nights for Newcastle at times, consistency has been an issue for Eddie Howe.
He admitted as much following an excellent win over Aston Villa earlier this week, a big result his team followed up with a chaotic 4-4 draw with Luton on Saturday.
The joint-best defence in the Premier League last season is creaking. Already this season, Newcastle have conceded as many goals at St James’ Park (14, via WhoScored) as they did in the entirety of the last campaign.
It’s fair to say Howe was not impressed.
Newcastle 4-4 Luton: Eddie Howe confused by what his team are doing right now
Reflecting on the defensive problems, Howe said (via The Athletic): “It’s very unlike us.
“The last few games have been far from ideal defensively.”
Newcastle latest news: Defensive problems costing them
Only four of the top five in the Premier League season have scored more than Newcastle’s 48 goals this season. Even with injuries to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, they remain a dangerous team going forward.
Still, the issues at the back cannot be ignored. Dan Burn has been criticised at times, while the lack of a No.6 to protect the backline was even picked up by pundit Tim Sherwood during the Boxing Day defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
It’s difficult to see where the improvement comes too. Joelinton will not play again this season, depriving Newcastle of energy in midfield and Nick Pope reportedly remains a while off returning too.
Perhaps Tino Livramento could replace Burn going forward but it is up for debate as to whether or not that will prove enough to completely change things.
Unless Howe finds a winning formula, the defensive problems look set to continue.
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