There were not many positives to take from Newcastle United’s defeat to Brentford on Sunday.
For the second week in a row, Newcastle United threw away another lead to lose another Premier League away game.
Indeed, Brentford beat Newcastle United 3-1 and it was sadly not all that surprising. Eddie Howe’s side were dreadful throughout the contest and head into the international break in crisis.
Fans are frustrated and rightly so. Newcastle are in a lot of trouble right now. They looked brittle, bereft of any fresh ideas and – most worryingly – lethargic. The manner in which they crumbled yet again was frankly pathetic.
Winning relatively routine games in the Champions League first phase cannot be enough. On this form, Newcastle will lose to the first half-decent team they play away from home.
Here’s a look at the four losers and one winner from Newcastle’s loss to Brentford.
Brentford v Newcastle United - Premier League
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Losers
Eddie Howe
It’s not often that the Newcastle United manager gets it wrong. Still, Howe named almost the same team who lost to West Ham last weekend and, for some reason, expected different results.
He did not get them. It was a strange call not to freshen things up, particularly after playing in midweek. Howe’s decision not to take Dan Burn off after his yellow card or the first penalty appeal was also very costly.
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To suggest Howe is under any pressure would be unwise. Howe has the full backing of the Newcastle United owners, but he does need to change things up. Loyalty could cost him.
Dan Burn
Burn was exposed yet again. It’s not really his fault, given this is a 33-year-old centre-back playing as a left-back every three or four days.
Still, he was torn apart by Brentford and was lucky not to have been sent off earlier than he was. Burn is a Newcastle United legend and deserves respect, but it does not mean he gets a free pass forever.
Suspended for the next game, this was perhaps his most difficult outing for the club yet.
Nick Woltemade
Newcastle aren’t playing to Nick Woltemade’s strengths but the German could surely still do more. He got bullied by Brentford today and while he had a nice touch in the build-up to the goal, it’s just not working right now.
It’s not easy for Woltemade but those early goals have now dried up somewhat. The Premier League looked easy for him during his first few weeks but even his biggest supporter would struggle to claim that now.
Brentford v Newcastle United - Premier League
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Nick Pope
Where do we start with Nick Pope? Though he remains capable of some fine saves, he’s looking increasingly erratic this season. Often not strong enough in commanding his box, he should have done better for Brentford’s first goal.
It was a shame to see him go off injured too, which could have implications on his place in the England squad.
Winner
Lewis Hall
It’s difficult to find any positives from the game, of course. Still, Lewis Hall will almost certainly get back into the team now.
Even if Burn wasn’t suspended for the game against Manchester City after the international break, Hall should be starting.
The fact he wasn’t brought off the bench after Burn’s first penalty mishap was alarming. What more does he need to do? Granted, he’s only just coming back after a hamstring injury, but the 21-year-old looked good enough during his cameo in midweek.
If there’s one positive to take, and while it may be difficult to see right now, it’s that Hall will surely be back to claim his place in the starting lineup from now.