A worrying trend has emerged for Newcastle United, and it's time to address it. The Magpies' away form is a cause for concern, and their recent struggles are a stark reminder of the challenges they face.
Let's start with the positive: Nick Woltemade's incredible goal at the Amex. It was a moment of pure genius, a flick that few players could even dream of attempting, let alone execute with such precision. But here's where it gets controversial... Woltemade's goal, while brilliant, highlights a bigger issue. It was an exception in a sea of missed opportunities. Up until that point, Newcastle had created very few clear-cutting chances, and this has become a recurring theme.
Newcastle's away record under Eddie Howe is now their longest winless streak in the Premier League. They've played seven away fixtures since their last victory, drawing four and losing three. This matches their previous seven-game winless run during the 2023-2024 season, when they were also navigating a Champions League campaign. And this is the part most people miss: Newcastle's inability to find the back of the net away from home.
Since their last away win, Newcastle has failed to generate an expected goals (xG) return above 2.0 in any away match. Their attacking cohesion is lacking, and the midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton have struggled to find their rhythm. Woltemade, despite his impressive goal tally, remains somewhat peripheral in the attacking third. He's clinical, but his touches and involvement in the opposition box are limited.
Defensively, Newcastle's expected goals against (xGA) are almost identical at home and away, but their attacking output drops significantly on the road. The difficulty of their away fixtures is a factor, but it's not the sole reason for their struggles. Newcastle has failed to impose themselves against top-half opposition away from home, and their 'flat-track bully' mentality is evident.
The recent match against Brighton & Hove Albion highlighted these issues. Newcastle's attack was toothless, and their defensive cracks appeared, conceding twice after a long road shutout. The lethargic first-half performance raised concerns, and the lack of energy from key players like Joelinton and Guimaraes was noticeable.
Newcastle's goalscoring has been a major concern this season. They've only managed three Premier League goalscorers so far: Woltemade, Guimaraes, and Will Osula. This lack of productivity from their wingers and midfielders is a huge worry. Woltemade's prolific form has been a bright spot, but can he sustain this scoring rate alone? He needs support from his teammates.
Newcastle's next two away fixtures are against West Ham and Brentford, and while these matches are winnable, Eddie Howe must find a balance between defense and attack. Newcastle's home comforts will be crucial in turning their stuttering campaign around. But can they find the right formula to succeed on the road?
What do you think? Is Newcastle's away form a cause for long-term concern, or can they turn it around? Let's discuss in the comments!
