Two stats show why Newcastle fans must not panic after tough start to the season

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It is fair to say that Newcastle United have not enjoyed a very good start to the new Premier League season.

There was so much hype after the opening day win over Aston Villa. The Magpies smashed Unai Emery’s side 5-1 at St James’ Park, and it looked like we were picking up exactly where we left off. There was even talk of a title charge…

Fast forward a few weeks and outsiders are debating whether Eddie Howe is the right man for the job. That is how quickly things can change in football.

Newcastle have lost their last three games, and sit 14th in the Premier League after four games.

It has been a very difficult start to the season, and it may only get tougher once the Champions League kicks off later this month. Newcastle have very challenging games on the horizon, and that could certainly dent their Premier League form.

However, there are two reasons why Toon fans should not be too worried despite starting the season with just three points from a possible 12.

Newcastle are only one point worse off from the same fixtures

Firstly, Newcastle have only done slightly worse than they did from the same set of fixtures last season. When they played Villa and Liverpool at home and Man City and Brighton away last season, the Magpies picked up four points.

This time we have got three, so it is not a massive drop off. And it could have been more had we not thrown the Liverpool game away in the final stages.

In that respect, Newcastle need not worry. They were difficult games last season, and they are difficult games this season. To be just a single point worse off is not the end of the world.

Much tougher start for Eddie Howe’s side

After four games last season, Newcastle had six points and were unbeaten. In that respect, the start to the 23/24 season looks very poor.

However, we had a much easier start last time out. We had two very winnable games, but actually only picked up one victory. On top of that, the point we got against Brighton was very fortunate. They battered us on that day, and we were very lucky to head back up north with a 0-0 draw.

While we are three points worse off than we were after four games last season, there is no need to panic. It is still very early days.

Our fixtures are much more favourable after the international break, and that is hopefully when we see Howe’s side getting back to their best after a slow start.

It is hard to be upbeat right now, but there is still so much football to be played – and we have got some very difficult fixtures out of the way early.