With the international break over, Premier League action resumes with Newcastle United hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pivotal fixture that offers the Magpies the opportunity to build some much-needed momentum.
Eddie Howe’s side are in desperate need of their first league victory of the season.
A defiant display in their last game at St James’ Park was not enough to overcome Premier League champions and early pace setters Liverpool, who snatched a 3-2 victory in the final seconds, while 0-0 draws at Villa Park and Elland Road showcased the toothless nature of the Magpies' attack.
However, with the additions of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to the forward line at the end of the window, Newcastle will expect to rectify the issue in this game and finally find form in front of goal.
Last season, this clash ended in a resounding 3-0 victory for the Toon after a scintillating attacking display, and they will be hoping for a similar result that would bring about a much-needed first three points.
With their opponents Wolves rooted to the foot of the table with three defeats from their opening three games, this game represents the perfect opportunity for Newcastle to finally earn a first victory of the season and establish some much-needed form ahead of a midweek Champions League clash with Spanish giants Barcelona.
Will New-Look Attack Click?
Although it is early to tell as we are only three games into the new season, Newcastle’s attack seems far less potent than it was at times last season, having only scored twice in the league so far.
This is unsurprising given the faces who have left in the final third of the pitch. Callum Wilson was allowed to depart for West Ham United upon the expiry of his contract in the Northeast, while Swedish international Alexander Isak refused to train or play for the club to force his eventual move to Liverpool.
When this gaping hole at the focal point of the pitch was only amplified when Anthony Gordon received a red card against Liverpool, it was perhaps inevitable that Newcastle would struggle for goals.
However, with the forward line of new signings Wissa, Woltemade and Elanga poised to take to the pitch together for the first time, this may not be an issue for much longer.
All three forwards arrive on Tyneside after enjoying spectacular campaigns last season.
Elanga notched six goals and provided 11 assists as he fired Nottingham Forest back into European football. Wissa also impressed in England’s topflight, as his 19 league goals convinced the Magpies to shell out for him on deadline day, while Woltemade arrives after scoring 12 goals in his breakout season at VFB Stuttgart.
Beyond their individual form, the three forwards have specialities that should, in theory, complement each other well.
Elanga is a tricky winger renowned for causing problems for opposition defenders with his electric pace, whereas at 6’6 and 5’9 respectively, Woltemade and Wissa can be expected to form a classic ‘Little and Large’ partnership reminiscent of the days of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips at Sunderland or Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe at Portsmouth.
All three players are used to playing these roles having performed them previously with their former employers.
Elanga was regularly delivering crosses into the box to target man Chris Wood, which will transfer nicely as both of his new colleagues are more than capable of scoring from the air, while at Stuttgart, Woltemade often played in a partnership up front alongside former Brighton striker Deniz Undav.
In these performances, the German proved that he likes to take on creative responsibility, often dropping deep to make space further up the pitch for his teammates to capitalise on. Wissa often enjoyed preying on such spaces at Brentford last season, as he often exploited gaps left by Bryan Mbuemo.
This may see this new attacking trident successfully complement each other and form an instant relationship, which would prove vital in this clash.
Further, all the signings have shown that they are in form with their performances while on international duty. Wissa and Elanga both scored in their World Cup qualifier games for DR Congo and Sweden, respectively, while Woltemade provided a crucial assist in Germany’s vital 3-1 victory over Northern Ireland.
If this form can be translated into success at St James’ Park, then they may be capable of causing problems for the Wolves' defence and help their team to a much-needed win to kickstart their season.
Will Attacking Ambition weaken Solid Structure?
With a lot of focus being placed on their attacking woes, Newcastle’s defensive prowess has quietly slipped under the radar at the start of this Premier League season.
The Toon have kept the joint-most clean sheets in the top flight this season, having enjoyed shutouts at Aston Villa and Leeds United, while according to Opta data, they have shipped the fewest expected goals of any side in the league this season, with 1.6.
However, they have also amassed the third-lowest expected goals for anyPremier League outfit. As discussed in the above section, the Magpies will place a strong emphasis on rectifying this metric as quickly as possible in order to score the goals that will propel them up the table.
This may see Newcastle compromise on their defensive principles, leaving them more open at the back. Eddie Howe elected to start with a back five in the game against Leeds, but with the weapons now at his disposal it is unlikely he opts for such a cautious approach.
The Toon will be desperate to maintain their solid performances despite their quest for more threat going forward, but if they are unable to do so, they may become more exposed than they have so far this season.
They will need to find a balance in this clash; otherwise, they may be caught out by the many threats that Wolves possess and suffer yet another disappointing result.
Will Jorgen Strand Larsen Haunt Magpies’ Hierarchy?
According to widely circulated rumours, Jorgen Strand-Larsen was one of Newcastle’s many targets as they sought to improve their forward selection.
However, Wolves insisted the Norwegian, who only arrived at Molineux on a permanent basis at the start of the summer, was not for sale as he was pivotal to their quest to stay in the Premier League.
That stance was reinforced after Strand Larsen plundered two goals in a dramatic Carabao Cup victory over West Ham. Wolves were adamant that they would not budge, eventually forcing the Magpies to look elsewhere.
Although the Toon did eventually land on their new attack, they may be very quickly forced to regret not pushing harder for the forward as he travels North to face the side he could have joined.
Despite currently being listed as a doubt for the game, having missed out on the international break through injury, Strand Larsen will be desperate to be deemed fit for this match, as it represents a perfect opportunity for him to show Newcastle exactly what they missed out on.
Having kept two clean sheets already this season, the Magpies’ backline will be confident of keeping Wolves at bay. However, they will have to be extra cautious of the threat Strand-Larsen brings, as he will be desperate to make a point by getting himself on the scoresheet.