Eddie Howe now admits something ‘strange’ is happening at Newcastle United this season

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Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United’s lack of goals so far this season is “strange”.

Only Aston Villa (1) have scored fewer goals than Newcastle United (3) in the Premier League so far this season and Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth was the third away game in a row in which Howe’s side have failed to find the back of the net.

Clearly, Newcastle are still getting used to life without Alexander Isak. Nick Woltemade has already opened his account following his club-record move to St James’ Park but expecting the German to instantly adapt to life in the Premier League would be unwise.

The fact that Yoane Wissa is injured does not help the Newcastle United manager, either.

Still, Newcastle have created chances in Howe’s view. Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon both wasted chances against Aston Villa at the start of the season.

It’s not that Newcastle are playing particularly badly. They’ve caused teams problems but have lacked the finishing touches – as was the case against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Howe admits the lack of goals is confusing.

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Eddie Howe speaks on Newcastle United’s lack of goals

Howe was speaking after Newcastle drew 0-0 with Bournemouth.

He admitted that three consecutive 0-0 draws away from home is a strange return from his side this season when considering some of their attacking play.

“A tough game and here it always is,” he said (via The Chronicle).

“They play a style of football which is difficult to play against.

“We limited them to long shots and Nick had a couple of saves I’d expect him to make.

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“Three 0-0s away from home are strange given our attacking play.”

While it is true that a striker would surely have helped Newcastle against both a poor Villa side and Leeds earlier this season, it would also be foolish to suggest Howe’s side are carving teams open at will.

Other than the Barcelona game and perhaps Elanga’s early shot against Villa, it’s difficult to think of too many absolute sitters Newcastle have missed thus far. 

Newcastle United have just equalled unwanted record

To an extent, Howe is right.

Three consecutive goalless draws away from home has not happened very often throughout Premier League history.

In fact, as per BBC Sport, they have already equalled an unwanted record.

Three 0-0 draws are the joint-highest amount in a team’s opening five fixtures in the history of the Premier League.

It seems reasonable to expect things to change when Woltemade settles in further and Wissa returns from injury.

At this point, however, it’s difficult to see how it instantly clicks. There wouldn’t appear to be a magic formula right now.