**Newcastle United have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde so far this season, which is a phrase we used a few times at the beginning of the last campaign, too.**
Last season, Newcastle were getting results while not playing well, and vice versa. This season, we've been playing well, for the most part, but the results just aren't coming.
The good news is, we can look at last season as a good benchmark to know that we can still achieve something decent this season as long as we get moving soon.
We thought we'd taken that step with back-to-back wins earlier this month, but that was derailed thanks to the international break and compounded with a trip to our bogey stadium.
Newcastle struggled for large periods of the game against Brighton
Eddie Howe has been frustrated by Newcastle's season so far
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When speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow night's game against Benfica, Eddie Howe was asked his thoughts on the season so far, and we fully agree with the word he used in his response (via [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/howe-mourinho-press-conference-live-32713971)) - 'frustrating'.
> "Frustrating is the feeling. We are so close to being something more and getting better results. Team performances have been strong but there were a couple of lapses against Brighton.
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> "We are working hard to create chances and the best example of that is the goal. It has come from the goalkeeper and we have worked hard to get that goal. You make your own luck and we aren't far away."
Newcastle need Premier League points, and a Champions League win can help bring those points home
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It could be argued that right now getting Premier League points on the board should be the priority, but we can't underestimate what a Champions League win could do to boost the side.
Newcastle battered Nottingham Forest after beating Union Saint-Gilloise. Champions League qualification should be the aim again this season, but it's pointless qualifying for the competition if our league form is going to suffer.
The Magpies did a lot to address the issues of our last Champions League campaign by bringing in six first-team players in the summer, but we've once again been unlucky with injuries at the start of this campaign.
A win on Tuesday should set us up nicely for three points against Fulham on Saturday. This could be the start of the season - again.