Newcastle defender Dan Burn has urged his teammates to show their ugly side and ‘bully’ teams in the way Arsenal do, after a poor start to the season.
Dan Burn has been imperious for Newcastle ever since his move four years ago, scoring vital goals such as the opener in the Carabao Cup final over Liverpool last season, and a bullet header against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
But despite his heroics, he’s been part of a Newcastle side that have largely suffered in the Premier League this season. Just three wins from 10 means Eddie Howe’s side are 13th in the table, and Newcastle have already lost four games.
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And that has led to Burn stating that Newcastle need to bring back their ‘ugly’ side and start bullying teams again, just as they did in the 2022-23 campaign where they only lost five games throughout the entire campaign.
Liverpool v Newcastle United - Carabao Cup Final
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Dan Burn says Newcastle have been too nice away from home and must copy Arsenal’s ‘bullying’ side
Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s home Champions League tie against Athletic Bilbao, Burn noted that form simply wasn’t good enough.
Stoppage time home losses to Liverpool and Arsenal have been followed up by recent beatings away at Brighton and West Ham, whilst three stalemates to kickstart the campaign mean they’ve only won three games.
A further loss to Barcelona saw them lose on the opening home game of the Champions League season, but that was followed up by emphatic wins over Union Saint-Gilloise and Benfica.
A win over Bilbao on Wednesday would take them into the top eight, but it’s form that must be extended. Speaking to Sky Sports, Burn said: “It comes down to mentality.
🚨 Dan Burn on Newcastle’s poor away form:
🗣️ It comes down to mentality. We were well known a few years ago for s***housery and we have come away from that.
🗣️ We were ugly and bullied teams but as you progress as a team you bring in better quality players and play better… pic.twitter.com/Zck0FBOHR9
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) November 4, 2025
View Tweet
“We were well known a few years ago for s***housery and we have come away from that.
“We were ugly and bullied teams but as you progress as a team you bring in better quality players and play better football.
“But I think there’s always a place for that in the game, look at Arsenal.
“We were too nice on Sunday. It was very painful to watch back (on video) how far we were off it, but it’s the only way to learn.
“We have needed to have uncomfortable conversations.”
Arsenal have mastered that in recent times. Their 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday evening meant that they have now gone eight games without conceding, winning all of those – and set-pieces have been a real beneficiary for them in that regard.
Newcastle were first-hand recipients of that ugly set-piece side with Arsenal’s win via Gabriel in the last minute at St. James’ Park – despite Nick Woltemade opening the scoring in what was Arsenal’s last conceded goal.
Tino Livramento of Newcastle United is consoled by teammate Dan Burn
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Newcastle were incredibly tough to beat after Eddie Howe took over
Burn is right in what he is saying. He joined Newcastle in the January transfer window, their first under the new Saudi ownership, with Newcastle having only taken two wins from 21 games, mustering 15 points by the time of his arrival.
However, they remained sturdy from the end of the January transfer window, losing just five games from then until the end of the season to finish 11th in the table.
The 2022-23 campaign saw even better results, with Newcastle losing just one game until mid-February in the Premier League, that being a last-gasp defeat to Liverpool in August.
Season Newcastle Premier League losses League position
2022-23 5/38 4th
2023-24 14/38 7th
2024-25 12/38 5th
2025-26 4/10 13th
Claiming results against Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United along the way, they only ended up losing five games throughout the season to see Champions League football at St. James’ Park once again.
However, it’s been a downwards spiral since then. The 2023-24 campaign saw them lose 14 games, and although last season’s tally of 12 was a slight improvement, it’s a long way away from their typically defensive best.
And, if the Magpies are to qualify for the Champions League once again, their current 40 percent loss rate will be nowhere near enough to drag them over the line.