Newcastle United’s start to the season has been disappointing, to say the least. The Magpies have slipped to 14th in the Premier League table following their 3-1 defeat at Brentford last weekend and continued their nightmare run of results away from home.
Eddie Howe’s side last won an away Premier League match back in April, when they claimed a 3-0 victory over Leicester. They have failed to win any of their nine away games since and delivered another questionable display on Sunday.
Despite going in front through Harvey Barnes’ opener in the first half, Newcastle crumbled after the interval as they conceded three times in the space of 40 minutes and saw Dan Burn sent off for two yellow cards.
While the fifth defeat in 11 league games this season has not necessarily increased pressure on Howe regarding his job security at St James’ Park, it has once again raised a few eyebrows over his team selection.
The 47-year-old’s line-ups have been consistently underperforming at the start of the campaign, but that does not necessarily mean the situation is beyond repair. Here are three things Howe could do to help turn the season around.
What Changes Should Newcastle Make?
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade
With 11 goals in as many Premier League games, it is safe to say Newcastle’s performances up front have been lacklustre this season.
One can only wonder how the situation would look if one of their two most expensive summer arrivals, Yoane Wissa, was fit and playing.
The DR Congo international has yet to register a single minute for the Magpies since his £55m move from Brentford, but his return to action is anticipated soon, potentially right after November’s international break.
Once Wissa regains match sharpness, playing him alongside Nick Woltemade – who could operate as a second striker – should be a no-brainer, as the two offer different qualities on the field and could combine to give Newcastle more creativity and firepower in attack.
Another aspect Howe could consider is finally dropping Anthony Gordon. The England international has been a shadow of his former self in 2025, scoring just two goals and registering one assist in the Premier League.
Amid his poor run of form, Gordon has been criticised as ‘lethargic, sloppy and sometimes uninterested’ and is currently out injured, after limping off in Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Athletic Club last week.
In his absence, Harvey Barnes has performed well, scoring Newcastle’s only goal in the 3-1 defeat at Brentford and registering his sixth goal involvement in just seven starts this season.
With Gordon struggling for form and fitness, it would be no surprise to see Barnes getting more starts in the coming weeks under Howe.
Ultimately, the return of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall to the starting line-up is another no-brainer for Howe, considering how much the two full-backs have been missed this season amid their injury problems.
While Hall made his return following a five-game absence last weekend, coming off the bench at Brentford, Livramento’s return is anticipated following the international break.
The England international has missed five Premier League games with a knee injury but could feature when Newcastle host Manchester City at St James’ Park on November 22.