With three points to end 2025, you’d think everything would be pretty rosy around Newcastle United, but that win against Burnley merely papered over the cracks.
A 3-1 scoreline was rather flattering for Newcastle, who enjoyed seven minutes of dominance at Turf Moor before allowing Burnley back into the game.
If you could voice one concern to Eddie Howe about Newcastle United right now, what would it be?
Yes, I know we won, but let's not pretend that was great 😂
That’s been emblematic of Newcastle’s season in many ways, with ups and downs and lots of inconsistency across 2025/26 so far.
While Lewis Hall spoke positively about the season and the mentality of the Newcastle squad behind the scenes, others outside the club are getting concerned.
Craig Hope is not happy with Newcastle’s midfield
Mail Sport reporter Craig Hope delivered his verdict after the Burnley game and highlighted the ongoing issue of how Newcastle allow teams back into games, with blame attached to the midfield.
He said: “From the seventh minute onwards [Newcastle] showed that allergic reaction that refuses to go away to being in the lead. I asked the manager, why is there not more control? Why, when they get that advantage, do they not show control and turn it into a game of chess? Why don’t they slow the tempo?
“That midfield three of Guimaraes, Tonali and Joelinton, which on paper is supposed to be one of the best midfields in the Premier League… on their night, under the lights, in the big games, I think they are wonderful. I think they are a tremendous blend.
“But I think I can probably count on one hand the amount of times as a trio they have actually controlled games. They didn’t against Burnley. What they have to do, if they’re as good as everyone says, is take the sting out of it, control the tempo… they have to make it about Newcastle.”
Interestingly, and rather worryingly, Eddie Howe did not really answer that criticism at the time. But it certainly is an issue that needs addressing.
We need to talk about Sandro Tonali….
What is going on with him?! Can anyone remember when he last had a good game?
Who is to blame for midfield issue?
From game to game, it’s hard to really pin this on one player. One thing’s for sure, though, Bruno Guimaraes is almost faultless and is absolutely the cog that makes everything tick.
Joelinton was great against Burnley, admittedly, but that was more of an anomaly than part of a pattern. Indeed, the Brazilian has taken some flak this season, and was largely blamed for that issue with the balance in the team for the first couple of months in 2025/26.
Of late, the attention has turned to Sandro Tonali. The Italian has struggled for fitness and has looked far from his best in recent weeks. Fans branded Tonali atrocious after the Burnley game, with misplaced passes the main criticism.
There’s no denying that all three players are top class. The issue is that it’s becoming increasingly rare that all three are at their best at the same time.
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