Newcastle Utd analysis: Five reasons why Eddie Howe’s Magpies are struggling away from home

Newcastle United's struggles away from home continued as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brentford, with the Magpies winless in their last six away games. 

Despite a positive performance from Eddie Howe's Mags against Athletic Club during matchday four of the Champions League, United are struggling to find consistency in the Premier League.

They have secured three draws on the road at Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Leeds, as well as two back-to-back defeats for the first time this season. 

The international break could not have come at a better time for the Toon, but why is it that they are struggling away from home? Sports News Blitz writer Mossadek Abu suggests five reasons why. 

Nick Woltemade is not a typical No.9 

There was a lot of excitement surrounding the signing of Nick Woltemade, and he has settled in alright, with six goals to his name already this season. 

However, the players around him haven't quite figured out how to play to his strengths, which has been a key issue for them, especially away from home. 

Woltemade isn't your typical No.9; he isn't going to drop in from behind or be further up the pitch. However, his hold-up play is good, and his ability to pick out a pass is handy. 

Woltemade is like a No.10; he's there to be a feeder for someone else and an anchor for link-up play, which is where the wingers and midfielders need to step up.

Isak's departure has hurt their style

Alexander Isak's departure hasn't caused turmoil or divided the squad in any way, but you can sense it has affected how NUFC attacks and presses forward.

For about three years, Howe shaped and built this Newcastle side that would sprint and physically go at teams, and Isak would be that final piece of the jigsaw with his initial transfer in the summer of 2022. 

From then on, they scored 173 goals with Isak in the team, mainly because they had a pre-built system that required a striker like Isak.

As with Isak, he could run at defenders, switch up, and have a connection with the midfield and wingers in a way we aren't seeing right now.

He could slot in from behind, have the pace to go further up the pitch to be an option and get a shot away.

There hasn't been the same effect since Isak forced his move to Liverpool, and they tried replicating that with Gordon at the start of the season, but they struggled to find goals, hence the signing of Woltemade.

Despite scoring goals consistently in the cups, the same effect has not been replicated in the League, with the Magpies failing to register any shots on target on two occasions already this season. 

Woltemade is not as mobile as his predecessor, and due to the flatness of the wingers and midfield, it has been a challenging task for him to press higher up the pitch.

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Lack of intensity and creativity 

In their two recent away games, Newcastle took the lead in both but went on to lose both games 3-1. 

Harvey Barnes put his side up by one goal against the bees, and yet the team just dropped off; it was flat and didn't show any real threat.

Very similar to how they set up against Bournemouth in their 0-0 draw, where there was protection in the midfield and defence, it came at the expense of sacrificing the attack.

After that first goal, they cooled off. They failed to register a single shot on target against Brentford after Barnes put them a goal ahead. As the game went on, their offensive threat diminished. 

Newcastle, away from home this season, is currently averaging just 10 shots, with only 2.3 of them being on target, and an XG (Expected Goals) return of 0.74. 

Newcastle have only scored three goals away from home all season, the same amount as Wolves, who are bottom of the Premier League. 

Newcastle have lost their creative spark, with them having possession but not doing enough with it. There are no players making shouts or making them viable for any attacking opportunities.

Instead, they let the pressure pile on top of them. Case in point, their most recent fixture against Brentford.

Teams no longer feel under pressure when playing against Newcastle, as they have found it relatively easy to combat due to the lack of intensity and drive shown by the players.

Eddie Howe is too loyal to some players

Howe likes to reward players who consistently perform for him. This is a trait he exhibited at Bournemouth, and it has followed him here at Newcastle, but it may not have been clearer than against Brentford.

Howe took too long to make substitutions with Dan Burn struggling in the left-back position, as Brentford's attack had caught him out numerous times, and he was eventually sent off with a second yellow card. 

The Bees are known for their threats at long throws, and even though Nick Pope has kept 15 clean sheets this season across all competitions, he was at fault for some of the goals conceded against West Ham.

Pope was struggling all game to combat the threat of Michael Kayode’s long throws. 

So Howe's insistence on keeping players in the team to the task is factoring into this poor away form, because, although he has complete faith in them to turn it around. 

However, if things start to go sideways, as they did at the Gtech Community Stadium, it will exacerbate the situation.

Suppose Players such as Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale are likely a better fit for the first eleven. In that case, Howe shouldn't let sentimentality and loyalty get in his way.

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St James’ Park atmosphere

St James' Park is renowned for having one of the best atmospheres in English Football, with Newcastle's home performances being nothing short of praise, and it's added boost that they get from the supporters each matchday. 

Jamaal Lascelles touched on the subject of St James Park:

“Us as players, we know at home the fans do give us an extra 5%. Away teams, when they come to St James’ Park, it’s their worst place to come because of the fans. So yeah, they do give us an extra boost.”

When an away team plays Newcastle at St James' Park, the players appear 100% motivated and ready to go full throttle. 

However, it hasn't translated well away from home, with them coming across as stagnant, overwhelmed, sloppy, and flat. 

You look at the quality of players they have available, such as Bruno Guimares, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. 

They do not come across as the same team as they are at home, often looking out of rhythm or disconnected. They aren't in control or aren't hitting on the break like we've grown accustomed to seeing. 

Their away form has been an issue since the backend of last season, following the Carabao Cup final, with their last away win being against Leicester City on April 7, 2024.

Newcastle have lost three of the last five league games in which they have gone 1-0 ahead, all of which have come away from home. 

Is the lack of atmosphere a cause for Newcastle away from home, or is it the constant changes made to the team every single weekend?

The international break could not have come at a better time for Eddie Howe and his Magpies, as they aim to address these issues before a crucial game against Manchester City on November 22.

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