It feels like an eternity since the Magpies last kicked a ball in anger but with the Premier League making big strides towards getting the season back underway, it appears the wait may soon be over for those of us eager to see Bruce’s men back in action.
When the Premier League does return, the Magpies will face a tough task against the league’s surprise package in Sheffield United but with a big money takeover in the midst and the Magpies sitting relatively safe in the Premier League, there is reason to be optimistic for the future of the club.
So, with things progressing off the pitch, how have Newcastle stacked up on the pitch in the season so far?
Goals
If there has been one major disappointment this season, it has surely been the lack of goals.
Just 25 scored in total is the joint lowest in the Premier League with Norwich City.
Joelinton was brought into the club for big money (£40 million) but just one goal has followed leaving the Magpies with a serious problem up top.
Goals Conceded
Fortunately, the Magpies have been somewhat saved from the threat of relegation by their relatively strong defensive record.
Just 41 goals conceded in 29 Premier League games is the eighth best record in the division.
That number has largely been helped by an impressive nine clean sheets so far which is only three worse than runaway leaders Liverpool.
Red cards
With three red cards to their name this season, the Magpies join the likes of Arsenal, Bournemouth, Everton, Manchester City, Southampton, Tottenham, and Watford as the sides with the highest number of red cards this season.
Shots on target
You will not be surprised to learn that due to Newcastle’s joint lowest number of goals scored this season, that they sit in the lower quarter for shots on target.
However, slightly higher than goals scored as with 97 shots on target this season, the Magpies sit 17th in the table.
Crystal Palace, Watford, and surprisingly Sheffield United have all had fewer.
Saves
The ever-present Martin Dubravka has been a busy man between the sticks for Newcastle this season making 117 saves this season.
Even more impressive is that number is the highest number of any team in the league seven more than Tottenham with 110.
It is quite clear that Dubravka has been instrumental in ensuring Newcastle have stayed out of the relegation zone this season.
Passes
We know football is a team game but the number of passed made by the Magpies this season makes for grim reading.
9538 may sound a lot, but actually only Burnley have made fewer and it is over 9000 fewer than Manchester City have made this season in the same number of games with 18926.
Corners
We don’t want to end on a negative, but we are going to. The Magpies 115 corners this season is the worst of any side in the Premier League.
However, one thing the stats do tell us is that if the money starts coming in, there is no need to worry about the defence, just chuck all the money into attack.
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