Rafa Benitez is looking at a very tricky run of fixtures in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has managed to take one point from the first couple of games, although it could have been more.
What’s done is done, and attentions must turn to this weekend’s game with Chelsea.
It’ll certainly be a tough game, with Maurizio Sarri’s side looking sharp in the final third.
And that’s something that Newcastle will need to replicate if they’re to starting building any kind of momentum.
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It’s been a solid enough start on the defensive front, but again the Magpies have looked a little bit toothless in attack.
This was a problem throughout 2017/18, which ended with the team scoring just 39 times in 38 games.
There won’t always be times when the defence is impenetrable, and the attacking players must step up.
Who does the reponsibility fall to?
Obviously most players have to shoulder some reponsibility, as does Rafa himself.
Specifically though, the likes of Matt Ritchie, Kenedy, Lucas Perez, Salomon Rondon, Yoshinori Muto, Joselu, Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame must all up their goal involvement stats this year.
Ritchie and Shelvey showed last year that they can be the creative sparks in the side.
Those guys will need to show that again and hope new signings Rondon and Muto can flourish.
Scoring in the Premier League is no easy feat but it’s an achilles heel that must be addressed.
It was unfortunate that Rafa was unable to sign a creative wizard, but as it were he is not exactly backed financially.
With more tough games against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United in the offing, Rafa’s men need to find their rhythm in front of goal and quickly.