Eddie Howe has big Newcastle call to make as Brighton display sees transfer question reemerge
As Newcastle's United downbeat players made their way over the Amex Stadium away end on Saturday evening, there was a surprise party atmosphere as the travelling support tried to sing through the pain of an uncharacteristic, yet dismal, defeat. But as the Geordie faithful made the 350-mile journey back home, train strikes and all, there will have been many a debate emerging as to what exactly is going wrong for the Magpies so far this term.
It's early days for Newcastle, who were undoubtedly handed a tricky opening quartet of fixtures, but there's a nagging feeling something is amiss in Eddie Howe's camp. The boss' go-to midfield in the opening four clashes just simply isn't working.
Despite looking assured and dominant in the opening day romp over Aston Villa, Saturday's lacklustre 3-1 reversal to Brighton highlighted a lack of cohesion in the middle of the park and will raise questions as to whether Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali is the answer going forward.
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The aforementioned three-man midfield has registered the fewest ball recoveries made (7) combined since Howe took charge on Tyneside. When the away side did recover the ball on Saturday, there was a noticeable lack of support in the final third.
“I think it’s in its infancy, that has to be noted," Howe said after the loss. "I don’t think that’s necessarily a criticism of any one of those players but it’s a new-look midfield and that takes time to build the relationships."
The majority of the Newcastle faithful, when surveyed over the summer, believed there was a firm need for a deep-lying, defensive midfield addition during the transfer window. Tonali's early, exciting arrival essentially quietened those calls. Now they rear their head once more.
That's because the gap between Newcastle's midfield and defence was glaring on the South Coast over the weekend. With Bruno playing often sitting deeper, despite a penchant for linking up with Newcastle's attack down the right, there's always a slight worry that the north east outfit will be caught out in behind.
That happened on multiple occasions as Brighton took control of the top flight clash, with Evan Ferguson causing all kinds of trouble in the pocket left by Newcastle's midfielders. The Irishman's second goal of three saw him receive the ball in acres of space as he dropped deeper, inching away from Fabian Schar and Dan Burn in Newcastle's backline.
When Billy Gilmour, who dominated the midfield all evening, poked the ball through to Ferguson, he did the rest as he curled one beyond Nick Pope from range. He musn't have believed how much space he found himself in.
The third goal again highlighted Newcastle being overrun in the middle of the park. Gilmour picks the ball up, uncontested and unpressed, takes his time and then calmly finds Kaoru Mitoma. The Japanese winger takes one touch and finds himself in a world of space before he assists Ferguson for his hat-trick.
Gilmour could arguably have won the Man of the Match award himself had fellow Brighton youngster Ferguson not ran riot in front of goal. The former Chelsea star, 22, looks wise beyond his years and controlled the game throughout the Saturday evening fixture.
As for Newcastle, the calls have grown for Sean Longstaff to return. The academy graduate was introduced off the bench as his side sought a way back into the game but there is now a question to be asked over whether he comes back into the fold from the outset.
Longstaff was integral to Newcastle's success last season and the last time they found themselves outplayed, outran and outthought like Saturday night was against Aston Villa back in April. Another game Longstaff didn't start in.
Newcastle won 28 games when Longstaff started last season, winning just 10 when he wasn't used from the outset. The win ratio shot up from 30 per cent to 57 per cent when the 25-year-old was given the nod.
"Certain players, I feel, simply have to be there. Sean Longstaff is one of them," Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp said after the Brighton defeat. "He's such an unsung hero. He has a vital role in this team."
Another slight criticism of Newcastle of late is their lack of attacking presence from midfield. Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton all venture forward at times but are typically suited to playing deeper. Joe Willock, however, relishes the opportunity to carry the ball into the third, running into the channels whenever the opportunity arises, with an eye for goal.
Unfortunately for Newcastle, the former Arsenal star has suffered an injury setback and will be missing for another stretch of games.
Reasons to be positive? Sure. Newcastle took four points from the corresponding fixtures last season, compared to the three they have picked up so far this time around. As mentioned, the Villa win also provided hope that Howe's preferred midfield trio can work long-term.
Tonali, who was again replaced earlier than supporters would have liked at Brighton, created more chances than any Newcastle player during the defeat. The Italian is trying to nail down what Howe wants on the right of his midfield three and has so far looked more than capable in black and white. He may just need a bit more time to find his feet.
As for Bruno, questions linger over his fitness and form. However, the Brazilian won more total duels (8/12) and suffered more fouls (4), than any player on the pitch.
Those statistics, admittedly, are no use to Newcastle now but there have been fleeting moments of positivity from a trio trying to find their feet playing alongside one another. For Howe, he now has big decisions to make over whether he sticks or twists after the international break.