Considering the difficult summer we had, on top of having some of the hardest opening fixtures in the top five leagues, it would have been a big surprise if Newcastle United started the 2025/26 campaign in style.
However, that shouldn’t be an excuse for what have been some questionable performances that have left a lot to be desired. Right now, we’re looking well below the level we need to be playing at if we want to be in the running for Champions League qualification once again.
And it’s led to some questions on Howe’s tactics and strategy so far this season, and what the gaffer needs to do if we want to quickly get ourselves back on track heading into a crucial point of the season.
Sky Sports’ Gary Neville has weighed in following our recent defeat to Arsenal, and rightfully suggests that there’s no cause for alarm just yet on Tyneside…
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast immediately after Sunday’s game, Gary Neville had praise for Newcastle United, despite our mixed start to the season, but did question some of on-field performances and tactics seen so far.
“It is a horrible one for Newcastle. I didn’t think they played at their best. They fought. They’re solid defensively.”
“They were hanging in there, a bit like Man City last week at one point, when Eddie Howe went to a back five and you couldn’t argue with it because there was wave after wave of attack. They’ll be disappointed.”
“They’ll be gutted with how the season has started. But I think the ingredients are right here. There’s no need to panic.
“Those Newcastle fans at the end, there’s still a lot of them who were appreciative of the performance. They played against a good side.”
“I don’t think there’s a need for changes here or anything like that. They just need to get into their flow. I think they’ll rise up the league. They’ll win a lot of points. They’ll win a lot of matches.”
“Today they just played against probably, at this moment in time, the best team in the league. They’re very difficult to play against, Arsenal.”
So far this season, we’ve travelled to Villa Park and Elland Road, and only lost three of the best teams in the world to Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal.
But whilst our defensive solidity must be highly commended, our lack of creativity and goalscoring from anyone besides Nick Woltemade and Will Osula must be questioned.
In the fallout of Sunday’s game, many fans have been quick to point out we had a similarly slow start in the 2022/23 season, but went on to finish 4th and reach the Carabao Cup final.
Of course, there was the perfect storm that season of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs all underperforming by their standards, that we were able to capitalise on.
And with how much better the rest of the teams in the league have got since then, there’s no guarantee we can rely on others teams underperforming once again.
However, we’re hopeful things will start to click soon. The defence has given us a solid base to build on, our midfield is strong and our attack may need time, with Woltemade still settling into a new team, Wissa back soon and our wingers needing to step up after a slow start to 2025/26 for Gordon, Elanga and Barnes.
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