Newcastle United: 10 talking points after 10 matches

We as fans have learned quite a bit about Steve Bruce and the squad after 10 matches. Is there any hope for Newcastle United going forward?

With 10 Premier League matches in the books, it only makes sense to provide an assessment comprised of 10 talking points. With a quarter of the season now behind us, Newcastle United enter the second phase of the campaign in17th place, just one point clear of the relegation zone. Fortunately for the Magpies there is still a long way to go until May, but has Steve Bruce generated any optimism that he can push this team into a comfortable mid-table position by then? There are many questions we can raise as fans, but here are ten general observations I have made from the team’s first 10 matches.

1. No goals, no party

• For all the money the Newcastle United spent on attacking players this summer, I never thought the team would only have six goals at this stage in the season. Joelinton and Miguel Almiron need to wake up and carry this team on their backs. At this rate, the club will fall very short of last season’s final goal tally (42).

 2. Six goals from six different players

• While the lack of goals from Joelinton and Almiron worry are a major concern, the fact that other players are going the extra mile for this team and scoring crucial goals is a great sign. The team should not be dependent on so many players, especially defenders, to score goals, but the diverse scoring options in this squad should be appreciated.

3. Impressive clean sheet record

• The Magpies are struggling offensively, but they have shown that they can be solid in defense. Bruce’s side claimed three clean sheets this season against Tottenham, Brighton and Manchester United. Only Manchester City (five) and Brighton (four) have more clean sheets. Consistency in the back will be the key to increasing that tally.

4. WTF: What’s the formation?

• I have never seen a manager experiment with as many formations as Bruce has in ten matches. So far this season we have seen the following formations: 3-5-2, 5-4-1, 4-4-2 and 3-4-3. We look more lively and dangerous in the 3-4-3 shape, so I hope we stick with it going forward. The other formations simply invite more attacks from opponents and lead to alarming possession statistics.

5. Jetro Willems deserves a permanent contract

• Frankfurt loanee Jetro Willems has been in fine form for the Toon in the first 10 matches. He has been slightly inconsistent in defense, but he has been sharp offensively. His goal against Liverpool and assist against Manchester United showed me what this lad is capable of. He is definitely a Premier League player.

6. DeAndre Yedlin over Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth

• Newcastle United finally have some depth at wing-back and I have to agree with Bruce’s pecking order in that position. DeAndre Yedlin has played with more urgency and consistency than Manquillo and Krafth, and his level of urgency is unmatched. Yedlin is timing his overlapping runs to perfection so far, but he does need to improve his crossing accuracy.

7. The Longstaff Show

• Watching the Longstaff brothers start together in midfield has been exciting and the duo has been impressive against some elite opponents. Sean will be out for the next three matches after picking up a red card against Wolves, but based on what we have seen from Matty in recent weeks, I expect him to keep his role as a starter. His energy combined with Isaac Hayden’s aggressiveness will be interesting to watch.

8. Reaction after heavy Leicester City defeat

• All eyes were on Bruce to see if he could turn things around after his troops were embarrassed 5-0 at the King Power Stadium a few weeks ago. The squad played with amnesia after that loss and managed to claim four points from the three matches following that horrible loss. The season is a marathon and I think the team is starting to understand that now.

9. Martin Dubravka is a top 10 keeper in the EPL

• Martin Dubravka was offered a new six-year deal last week because he deserves it. Has he made some poor decisions between the sticks this season? Yes, but he has also come up with some big saves that kept the Magpies competitive in most matches. The Slovakian keeper made 95 saves all of last season, but he has already been forced to make 32 saves in 10 matches. His defenders need to help him out more. It is unfair to expect him to bail the squad out on his own.

10. Fabian Schar and Allan Saint-Maximin are top players

• Newcastle United are fortunate to have Fabian Schar and Allan Saint-Maximin. Schar has been, hands down, the best defender for the Magpies so far this season. We’ve already seen him make multiple goal-saving tackles and acrobatic clearances, and he wasted no time scoring his first goal of the season. Higher up the pitch, Saint-Maximin has truly been a saint. It has been years since we’ve had a midfielder play with such confidence. He always calls for the ball and enjoys taking on multiple defenders to create a chance out of nothing. The Frenchman is currently the only midfielder who looks like a playmaker.