Newcastle United’s biggest weakness this season is pretty obvious.
Now, to have such a clear problem all while sitting one point off the top four with the possibility to go third after the international break is obviously hugely promising.
Still, while it’s unclear as to how badly that flaw will impact their season remains to be seen, few would doubt scoring goals has been the biggest issue this season.
Six of the Premier League’s top seven have scored more than Newcastle’s 39. Given no one in the division has conceded fewer times (19) yet Eddie Howe’s have drawn the second-highest number of times this season (11), that lack of firepower is clearly the issue.
However, perhaps that will soon change.
Alexander Isak’s brilliant Premier League record
Finally, Alexander Isak looks to be coming into his own.
The Sweden international endured a frustrating start to life at St James’ Park after a £60m move from Real Sociedad, though through no fault of his own.
Though his first three Premier League appearances brought two goals, injury has played a major part in his season and the forward has been limited to only seven League starts.
They, however, have yielded an impressive six goals. Just a goal off Callum Wilson’s haul of seven this season, a brace at Nottingham Forest followed last week’s opener against Wolves to breathe new life into Newcastle’s Champions League challenge.
It was during that win over Forest on Friday that Isak went out in front of any other Premier League player this season. As pointed out by Sky Sports’ Kelly Cates, the 23-year-old is the only player to have scored two game-winning goals in the 89th-minute or later during the campaign thus far.
They came against Forest on Friday and during the win over Fulham in January, deciding tight games in the dying moments.
Isak living up to his billing
As the most expensive signing made during the PIF era thus far, Isak arrived under huge pressure.
After all, there’s an old cliché about Newcastle fans loving their strikers and, for the most part, Wilson has impressed since his move from Bournemouth.
The ease with which Isak has taken to life in the Premier League, however, is nothing short of remarkable.