Clinton Morrison is rightly surprised by Newcastle United’s poor away form in the Premier League this season.
Heading into Sunday’s game at West Ham, Newcastle United were winless on the road in the Premier League this season.
Eddie Howe wants to improve Newcastle’s away form, which feels like the key to success during what remains of the campaign.
Indeed, winning at St James’ Park is one thing, but their struggles on the road have been a concern. While Howe’s side have drawn three of their four away games thus, it’s hardly been inspiring.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash, Morrison admitted his surprise.
Danny Welbeck scores for Brighton against Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Clinton Morrison surprised by Newcastle United’s away form
This season, Newcastle have played Aston Villa, Leeds, Bournemouth and Brighton away from home.
The two trips to the south coast were always going to be difficult and while Villa Park is hardly an easy place to go, Unai Emery’s side were struggling at the time of Newcastle’s visit.
Howe’s side, meanwhile, really should have beaten Leeds. None of them are easy games but not winning any was a big disappointment.
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Morrison says that given the quality of the Newcastle United squad, there’s no real reason as to why they should be struggling.
“Newcastle shouldn’t be struggling away from home with the players they have got,” he told BBC Radio Five Live at 13.28 GMT on 02/11/2025.
“Look at the bench, Elanga, Osula, Ramsey, these are players that will get into quite a lot of teams in the Premier League. I’m surprised that away from home it has been a struggle for Newcastle.
“In the Champions League they have been outstanding, at home they have been good, but away from home it has not been the same Newcastle.”
Newcastle United’s away struggles go back years
Over the past two seasons, Newcastle have been a midtable side in terms of away form.
Last season, they would have finished 10th in the Premier League table if only away games counted. During the 2023/24 campaign, away results ranked them 11th.
Clearly, that’s not purely how football works. Still, it is worth pointing out. Away form, while not dreadful, has been something of an issue for a few seasons now.
Strong home form can only cover so many cracks. It’s well and good turning it on under the lights on Tyneside but the next level for this team is to repeat that on a consistent basis.
At their most frustrating, Newcastle tend to turn it on for the big games at home. Going forward, that alone cannot be the case.