Newcastle have to rip up stagnant squad after ignoring Eddie Howe transfer plea

NEWCASTLE 0-1 BRIGHTON: The Magpies were much the brighter side for 34 minutes, before Danny Welbeck scored, with 21 shots with six on target, as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon missed their big chances

It’s a month, and six hours 44 minutes of football, since Newcastle last scored a goal from open play. If there is a statistic that hints at how this season will pan out, that is the most worrying for Eddie Howe and his players.

Harvey Barnes netted in the defeat to Fulham on September 21 and since then, in four games, they only have penalties from Fabian Schar and Anthony Gordon to show for their attacking efforts.

After eight games last season, Newcastle were a point better off in the same league position, but had scored 20 goals, admittedly with a freak eight at Sheffield United.

This time they’ve got just eight goals, the worst of the top half and only five teams have scored fewer. The suspicion, indeed evidence, is that this version of Newcastle United has stagnated.

Not surprising, after two poor transfer windows. Howe begged for an injection of new players in the summer and got no first team ready stars. It was the same story last January.

Sporting Director Paul Mitchell must urgently start to rip apart and rejuvenate a squad that no longer suffocates or dominates rivals.

The puzzle here was that Newcastle were much the brighter side for 34 minutes, before Danny Welbeck scored, and had 21 shots with six on target. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon missed their big chances, and Howe says “fine margins” fell the wrong way.

“Scoring gives confidence and belief,” said Howe. “I don’t sense it being an issue. It is a period where we have played without a striker. You can’t say we didn’t look like a good team today. Or that we would score goals. We need to create and we did and had some good moments.”

That is true. But there was also an admission that the Toon substitutes did very little to change the game. “I am honest enough to admit that.” And so the need for a big January transfer window, with departures and fresh challengers for this squad.

It’s four games without a win in the Premier League and we’ll know more about Newcastle’s top seven credentials after they’ve faced Chelsea and Arsenal in the next two league games.

Sandwiched in between is a home Carabao Cup tie also against Chelsea – on the line one of one two cups Newcastle can win. It’s a crucial period.

Defender Dan Burn said: “We are frustrated. We conceded a disappointing goal. That last bit of control in the final third, a bit of composure stuff. I am more worried if we don’t get into those positions. I know Alex Gordon and (Jacob) Murphy have the quality to score.

“For 60 minutes it was the best we have played this season. We have a tough run of games ahead. It is still a positive dressing room and everyone believes in what we are doing. It is Chelsea next and they are doing well, a big test and then the cup game. We take it very seriously.”

Howe added: “We never want to lose here and love playing in front of our fans. I need to protect all my players so they can go on the pitch and execute their best game.”

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