Sport
Newcastle must find another goal threat
There can be no denying the progress Newcastle United have made this season. Under Eddie Howe, the Magpies have become genuine top four challengers with the St James’ Park outfit on course for Champions League qualification just one season after their Saudi-led takeover. They are well ahead of schedule.
However, Saturday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham means Newcastle have drawn four of their last five matches in the Premier League. Worse than this, the Magpies have drawn a blank in three matches over this stretch with Howe’s team struggling for firepower since they put three goals past Leicester City in their first match following the World Cup.
“We lacked a bit of penetration today and missed Bruno (Guimaraes), possibly, who is such a key player for us,” Howe said after the disappointing draw at home against West Ham. “But I do think the chances were there for us and we’re kicking ourselves that we didn’t take one of those chances we created in the second half.”
Callum Wilson found the net against the Hammers and the England international is Newcastle’s most reliable finisher in front of goal. However, Wilson is extremely injury prone. Howe needs another source of goals to ensure his team stays in the top four and qualifies for next season’s Champions League.
The return of Alexander Isak from injury should bolster Newcastle’s options in the attacking third. The Swedish striker joined from Real Sociedad last summer to become the Magpies’ new focal point up front, but a series of setbacks have stopped Isak from living up to his club-record transfer fee of €70m.
Miguel Almiron was in the form of his life before the break for the World Cup, but goals have recently dried up for the Paraguayan who has now gone nine games in all competitions without finding the back of the net. Joe Willock has chipped in with a few goals for Newcastle this season, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since mid-November.
Of course, Newcastle United’s top four challenge has been based on defensive solidity. They have conceded the fewest goals of any team (12) in the Premier League this season and that strength at the back could be enough to send them into the Champions League. It’s where Howe has placed a lot of his focus.
If, however, Newcastle have to play a more expansive, attack-minded game to get over the line, this is where they could encounter problems. This is where the limits of their team could be exposed and where a reminder could be served that the St James’ Park club is still at the start of a transformation.
Howe can’t be expected to build all areas of his Newcastle United team at the same rate. His defence and midfield has come together very quickly, but the Magpies are still a work-in-progress in the final third. This is underlined by the deadline day signing of Anthony Gordon from Everton for a fee of around £40m.
It’s not that Newcastle United don’t have quality in the attacking third of the pitch. Wilson is a proven Premier League finisher while Isak has the potential to be one of the best players in his position anywhere in Europe. Almiron is still an influential figure while Willock continues to contribute. Even Allan Saint-Maximin has ability.
So far this season, though, Newcastle have been denied the opportunity to settle on a consistent attacking line up. If Isak can stay fit and if Gordon can settle in quickly at St James’ Park, that could make all the difference as the Magpies try to fly all the way into next season’s Champions League.
