There’s a sour mood around Newcastle United going into the November international break.
It’s been a challenging month for Newcastle United, in which Eddie Howe has seen his side’s performance levels dip, even when they have managed to get results.
Wins have been thin on the ground, though, especially in the Premier League after suffering three defeats in four games between the October and November international breaks.
Newcastle’s form has dropped off massively compared to the same point 12 months ago.
Sven Botman holds his hands on his face in dejection.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
2024 vs 2025: Newcastle United’s first 11 Premier League results
Below are Newcastle’s first 11 results from the 2024-25 campaign compared to the current season.
2024-25 2025-26
Newcastle 1-0 Southampton Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle
Bournemouth 1-1 Newcastle Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham Leeds 0-0 Newcastle
Wolves 1-2 Newcastle Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
Fulham 3-1 Newcastle Bournemouth 0-0 Newcastle
Newcastle 1-1 Manchester City Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Everton 0-0 Newcastle Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle 0-1 Brighton Brighton 2-1 Newcastle
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle Newcastle 2-1 Fulham
Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal West Ham 3-1 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle Brentford 3-1 Newcastle
Points: 18. Position: 8th Points: 12. Position: 14th
What’s striking is how inconsistent Newcastle are at the start of both campaigns, being unable to win three successive matches in either season. The Magpies will never become the title challengers they aim to be without being able to go on long winning runs.
Interestingly, Newcastle also had a difficult October last term and dropped down a position from the previous international break, but still managed to win two of their four games – against in-form teams in Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, while losing tough ones against their bogeyside Brighton and Chelsea – and keep a top 10 place.
In stark contrast, Newcastle have dropped from 11th to 14th over the last month and only managed to pick up three points, with even those coming in the dying minutes against an out-of-form Fulham.
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Newcastle’s fixtures this year have been much easier on paper, yet their results are significantly worse, pointing towards a significant drop-off on the field.
The added burden of Champions League games, coupled with several important injuries, could explain this and at least Newcastle are going strong in Europe, sitting 6th at the halfway stage of the league phase.
How can Eddie Howe turn Newcastle’s form around?
Howe is perhaps facing his biggest challenge yet in four years as Newcastle manager, as what has been working for so long is now failing.
The usually combative and dominating midfield three has lost its edge, with Joelinton in particular underperforming and there have been calls for Jacob Ramsey to replace him.
Problems with injury at full-back have been devastating and Dan Burn’s terrible display at Brentford epitomised that. Thankfully, Howe will have no choice but to replace him for the return fixture against Manchester City, as he will be suspended for it.
Howe also needs to work out how to get the best out of Nick Woltemade, who has been starved of service in recent matches and nowhere near as effective as a result.
The manager has big questions to answer and at least has the international break to mull them over.