Newcastle United Half-Term report


 
 
 
 
 
 

With yet another tedious international break upon us, I can’t think of a better time to reflect upon this Newcastle United season so far.

The progress, or otherwise, that NUFC have made since that opening day success over Southampton on Saturday 17 August.

Welcome to the Newcastle United half-term report.

Are we on course for huge success come May 2025?

Or will it be like my own school reports back in the day – ‘Underachieving and must try harder.’

I’m in full-on teacher mode here so sit up straight, spit out that gum and listen in, because I’m only going to say this once!

League:

With eleven games played United have won five, drawn three and lost three.

These eighteen points have us sitting eighth in the Premier League, just a point off third.

Over the eleven matches so far, Toon have racked up thirteen goals and conceded eleven, giving us a plus two goal difference.

Grade: B Minus

A strong start to the season had United third in the league having secured ten points from the first four matches. Silly results in good performances against both Brighton and Everton have cost us dear, along with poor defeats away to both Fulham and Chelsea.

A great point at home to Man City and wins against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest bode very well for the rest of the season.

Cup:

Three cup games so far has seen three victories, four goals and a place in the Quarter-Final of the League Cup for the third year running. We’ve seen off Forest on penalties after a 1-1 draw, AFC Wimbledon 1-0 and Chelsea 2-0.

Grade: A 

Three wins from three is a fantastic return.

A win against Brentford at home in the next round would see United make the Semi-Final of the League Cup for the second time in three seasons but only the third time in the entire history of the competition!

Keep up the great work!

Performances:

A mixed bag to say the least!

Newcastle’s performances early on weren’t great but ironically saw us gain a number of underserved points, particularly in wins against Tottenham and Wolves, as well as a draw away to Bournemouth.

The flip side saw Newcastle United deserve wins over Brighton, Everton and Man City but come away with only two points.

Thankfully three deserved wins in a row in all competitions has seen United not only play well but also come away with fantastic victories that have been celebrated long into the night. More of the same please.

Grade: C Plus

Newcastle are now putting a run of form together, having enjoyed three great performances and results in a row.

For us to push on and challenge for the top four it’s imperative we adopt the high press approach of the 22/23 season and blow teams away from the start.

We’ve shown signs of that in recent matches and a continuation should see us climbing further up the league.

Attack:

Isak has now scored four goals in his last four appearances and five for the season overall. I consider him to be one of the best strikers in the league and key to a successful season. Fingers crossed he keeps up the great work.

Wilson however has yet to kick a ball this season due to ongoing injury problems. On his day, he’s another great striker who certainly knows where the onion bag is and I’d love to see him back firing on all cylinders.

Osula had a good pre-season and looked sharp when smashing an effort off the post after coming on in the cup match against Chelsea. He’s got youth on his side, maybe one for the future.

Grade: B Minus

Isak has been wonderful over the past few games and it’s great to see him back to his best. Having just the one fit senior striker however is a recipe for disaster and this is an area of the squad that needs strengthening in January if we are serious about competing again in the Champions League.

Midfield:

Where to start?!

This is the strongest area of our squad for sure. Perhaps the only problem is trying to find a system that can accommodate such an array of talent.

Joelinton has looked back to his very best in the past two games and the recent return of Willock has been a huge boost to the entire team.

Add to that Bruno, Gordon, Barnes, Longstaff, Miley and Tonali, we have a very nice selection headache indeed. This is where we win matches and a collective upping of our game will see us the envy of many premier league clubs.

Grade: B

A return of the high press is very welcome and will prove the difference between a win and a draw in many matches this season.

A touch more consistency is required and I’ve no idea how we can fit both Gordon and Barnes into a starting lineup as they’re both class. One of our most talented midfield line-ups in living memory could well see the glory days rolling back to Tyneside.

Defence:

Conceding just twelve goals in fourteen league and cup matches shows that we have a solid defence.

Hall and Livramento are in the England squad on merit and Fabian Schar always has an epic goal up his sleeve (just ask Wolves!).

I like Big Dan Burn too and having Pope in goal is a Godsend.

Special mention for Trippier who has been one of our most important post-takeover signings, as well as both Lascelles and Botman who are recovering from injuries.

Grade: B plus

Keep things tight at the back and this could be a very successful season.

We have a team full of goals so a clean sheet or two will guarantee more wins and points for NUFC.

Overall:

Fourteen league and cup matches have seen a return of eight victories, three draws and place in the League Cup Quarter-Final.

Newcastle are just one point off third place, having played most teams around them.

Grade: B

This has been a successful start to the season for NUFC who have found form at the perfect time. More of the same please.

Targets for next term:

Beating Brentford to reach the League Cup Semi-Final.

Being in the top six by the end of 2024.

Signing a senior striker and/or a return to full fitness for Callum Wilson to ease the goal scoring burden on Alexander Isak.