Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Newcastle United: Looking at the stats after eight matches

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Muto of Newcastle reacts dejectedly during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on September 29, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Muto of Newcastle reacts dejectedly during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James Park on September 29, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Newcastle United are experiencing a poor run of form and this is reflected in their overall statistics.

Newcastle United have started the 2018-19 Premier League campaign in the worst possible way. With zero wins and only two points from a possible 24, Newcastle have their work cut out during this international break to prepare for some winnable matches later this month.

Newcastle are currently 19th in the table and their overall statistics after eight matches are a strong reflection of this poor run of form. The Magpies are struggling in every aspect of the game at the moment and Rafa Benitez must work endlessly to turn this negative trend around. With that being said, here are some notable statistics worth analyzing from the official Premier League website.

Losses

With a total of six losses this season, Newcastle United are tied for the most losses in the league with Cardiff City. Losing six of their first eight matches is a major concern for Rafa Benitez and the Toon Army. There is some comfort knowing that five of those losses came from top six clubs, but if Newcastle wants to avoid relegation they must find ways to win and draw more matches, especially at St. James’ Park.

Goals

Newcastle have only managed to score six goals in eight matches this season, a tally which places the Magpies ahead of only four other teams in the Top Flight. Newcastle have spent most of the early matches in their own half defending the goal and this has significantly hindered the club’s offensive efficiency. The good news, however, is that Newcastle now have a chance to pile up the goals when they face several mediocre sides.

Shots

The Toon are dead last in the Premier League when it comes to shot attempts with 65 total attempts in eight matches. Once again, the defensive tactics deployed by Benitez in the first few matches have contributed to this low tally, but the Magpies must play attacking football over the next several weeks. Newcastle play well when they place more emphasis on offense and this has been shown against Tottenham (15 shot attempts) and Manchester United (13 shot attempts).

dark. Next. Newcastle need to play attacking football

Passes

The trend of low placement continues in this category as Newcastle have completed the second fewest passes in the Premier League with 2,331. The average among mid-table sides is 3,400 passes and this shows that Newcastle must do better in creating passing rhythms in matches and this can easily be done by spreading the ball out wide to the wings. The upcoming matches against Brighton and Southampton present Newcastle with golden opportunities to maintain possession and string together some meaningful passes.