Newcastle United will soon be back in action.
The opening four games of the Premier League season have not been kind to Eddie Howe.
Indeed, Newcastle have lost to Liverpool, Manchester City and Brighton since thrashing Aston Villa on the opening day, putting pressure on the visit of Brentford on Saturday.
While Howe’s side beat the Bees home and away last season, they remain one of the more competitive sides in the division, consistently proving they can spring shocks over teams with much more in the way of resource.
Thomas Frank’s team twice beat City last season but the Bees boss is full of praise for the Toon.
What Thomas Frank has noticed about Newcastle this season
Indeed, the Dane believes Newcastle have actually been unlucky this season.
Frank, as you might expect, has been keeping a keen eye on the team thus far and thinks Howe’s side could well have had racked up more points.
“I don’t think they have got the results they will have wanted in the first four games and I’ve watched all four games through and they were very tight; they could have easily got more out of them than they did,” he said (via the club’s official website).
“They are a very dynamic, physical, high-intensity team and they’re good at set-pieces as well – they’re a very difficult team to play against.
“And we know that St James’ Park is one of the best home grounds – maybe the best.”
Frank is right – but it will be scant consolation if Brentford win
Frank is right in that assertion.
Newcastle really should have beaten Liverpool at St James’ Park. Having dominated most of the game against ten men, poor finishing put themselves in danger of a comeback, which Darwin Nunez duly provided with a late brace.
Still, that will do little to truly please supporters should Brentford win on Saturday. Yes, playing well is one thing but Newcastle have set such high expectations that failing to pick up three points would be a grave disappointment.
The pressure is on.
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