After a stunning start to the season sent us into the World Cup break in third, just two points behind Man City and seven clear of fifth, it’s been a frustrating start to 2023 for Eddie Howe’s Mags.
We actually came back with a bang in our 3-0 win over Leicester on Boxing Day. Since then, we’ve managed just one win in our last eight Premier League outings, scoring three times in that period.
However, there are still plenty of reasons to be hopeful as we head into our final 14 games of the season. Our top four hopes are receding, of that there’s no doubt, but talk of our Champions League dream being ‘over’ feels premature when we’d be back in fourth should we win our games in hand. I believe a run of good results are just around the corner.
The lack of goals is a concern and it’s probably time for Howe to mix up his starting 11, with fans on social media calling Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron – two players looking tired and out of sorts – to be replaced with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. That said, we’ve still been creating chances with Wilson an Miggy in the side. Missing them has cost us dearly, creating a trend that must stop this weekend if we’re to beat a much-improved Wolves, but I’d worry much more if the opportunities weren’t coming our way at all.
Just look at recent defeats to Liverpool and Man City. Against the Reds we were punished by two moments of quality and Nick Pope’s moment of madness, yet we looked the better side – even with 10 men – on a day where nothing fell our way. Saint-Maximin and Burn hit the woodwork and we controlled large parts with one less player. If either of those efforts go in and Wilson takes his big chance in the second half, we’re looking at an incredible comeback. Don’t get me wrong, it was a costly defeat and one where silly errors (a rarity under Howe) crept into our game, but I couldn’t fault the performance in the circumstances.
Our 2-0 defeat to Man City was another ‘what if’ game last weekend, as Wilson, Longstaff and Joelinton all spurned huge chances. Howe’s selection came into question that day, as many felt the likes of Isak, ASM and Willock should’ve started, yet better finishing would’ve seen us walk away from the Etihad with a well-deserved result. It was another harsh lesson, as City converted two of their three shots on target.
We did look toothless in the Carabao Cup final, as we struggled to create any major openings and saw Wilson struggle again, but we looked the better side for large parts, dominated possession and may have walked away from Wembley with a very different result had ASM or Burn taken their first half chances.
The mentality of this group is strong, we still have by far the best defence in the Premier League and have the likes of Isak, Gordon and Saint-Maximin to inject life into an attack struggling to finish its dinner. We also have a manager who you can guarantee is working day and night to find solutions, with Howe recently admitting he “won’t rest” until he brings success to St James’ Park.
Newcastle won’t end their winless run if we continue to spurn good opportunities and there have been times where we’ve looked flat. However, when defeats to Liverpool and Man City were decided over such fine margins, I’d put some money on the Magpies getting back to winning ways this weekend.
Joelinton will be a big miss in midfield, but we have a fit-again Joe Willock ready to return alongside the brilliant Bruno Guimaraes, options in attack, Schar returning from concussion and our first game back on home turf since that trip to Wembley.
This group has character and a chance to get our European dream back on track over the coming week. I’m backing Howe and the lads to respond, believing it’s only a matter of time until we start scoring goals after recent defeats to Liverpool and Man City could’ve swung either way on another day.
