Incredible stat shows why Newcastle fans should be very excited for the rest of the season

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Before the last international break, it was doom and gloom for Newcastle United.

Eddie Howe’s side had lost three games on the bounce, and looked nothing like the Newcastle United side that did so well last season to qualify for the Champions League.

However, another international break is upon us and the complexion of the Magpies’ season has changed once again.

United are now on a seven game unbeaten run, which includes a Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City and Champions League games against AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain.

In the Premier League, Newcastle are back on track. Their hat-trick of defeats was followed up with a hat-trick of wins, while on Sunday they picked up a solid point on the road thanks to a 2-2 draw with West Ham.

After eight games, Newcastle have 13 points and sit eighth in the table. And when you compare that to last season, there is reason for huge optimism on Tyneside right now.

Newcastle are doing better than they were last season

Eddie Howe’s team are actually doing better this season than they were last season after eight games.

This time last season, Newcastle had 11 points, which means that the Magpies are currently two points better off than they were last year.

That is surprising, and it is also very impressive when you factor in that Newcastle have also been competing in the Champions League against elite opposition.

The Magpies had less distractions last year, and their first eight games were probably just as tough as this time round.

That is why Toon fans should be incredibly optimistic about the rest of the 2023/24 campaign. Howe’s side will only get better, with key players like Joelinton due to return from injury after the international break.

Qualifying for the Champions League once again is going to be incredibly difficult, but our early points tally suggests that we will at least be challenging if we maintain this pace.

Suddenly that defeat away to Brighton in early September feels like a lifetime ago…