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Takeaways from Newcastle's 3-1 defeat: Magpies not Premier League ready

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Matthias Jaissle, Manager of Newcastle United during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Newcastle travelled to Edinburgh to play familiar opposition in Everton, and while there were bright spots for the Magpies, there are concerns defensively and going forward.

The follow-up performance from their win in Valencia wasn't there, as a clear lack of squad depth was evident given the drastic drop in performances in both halves.

The Magpies will have work to do in the transfer market, given their display at Murrayfield, as despite some of their new signings continuing to impress and be small sparks, there is still that lack of experience that concerns them.

Here are the takeaways from Newcastle's 3-1 defeat.

Lack of goals haunts Magpies

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United shoots during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

William Osula was the man up top for Newcastle, with Yoane Wissa slotting in behind as a no. 10, and whilst there was positive attacking play from Osula, Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Bazoumana Toure, there was an issue with putting chances away.

They were playing the ball forward and getting into good areas, creating positive link-ups to break down the Everton defence, but they failed to put them away. Osula got through on goal twice but took too long to register a shot away, allowing the Everton defence to recover.

For the praise Elanga has received in recent weeks, he was short of any chance creation into the box and had one decent chance, which came off a Vitaii Mykolenko error when he slipped.

In the second half, there were ten changes and the game stagnated. There was a bit of brilliance at the end in Harvey Barnes' consolation goal, but it was only the second good chance of that half, with Jacob Murphy's chance being the other.

Osula isn't a good option as things stand to start upfront; there is uncertainty surrounding Woltemade given his struggles last season, so for the time being you'd say Wissa is the best person to give any chance of putting their chances away, especially given his performance in Valencia on Saturday night.

A clear problem that has to be resolved, because there were positives in their build-up play, but if Newcastle are in a familiar situation like they were at the start of last season, where they couldn't put chances away, it will be a rough start to a new season.

Sven Botman is a defensive worry

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Thierno Barry of Everton is tackled by Sven Botman of Newcastle United during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Pre-season isn't going well for Sven Botman; another error gave Everton the lead, as he missed the tackle completely and allowed the defence to be opened up.

He was also at fault for a goal in their friendly against Bristol City. The 26-year-old is looking like a shell of the defender that he was when he first arrived on Tyneside.

Injuries have played a part in that and have halted Botman's time at Newcastle, but he is a big worry at the back for the Magpies, who are crying out for more defensive stability.

Two big, noticeable mistakes have put into question whether he should be starting alongside Malick Thiaw for the opening-day game against Liverpool.

A need for experience in midfield

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Aladji Bamba of Newcastle United (8) in action during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Whilst Newcastle have players who can play the ball forward and support the attack, there is a lack of experience and physicality that Bruno Guimarães had.

An experienced leader who can hold down the fort, if you will, and can help with the battles in there. As much as Joelinton's resurgence has been a great story, he isn't that option, not with the new crop of midfielders that have come in anyway.

What is needed is that extra support in that area and a midfielder that can battle, hold on to the ball and continue to dictate play, to hold the fort down and act as a recovery option. They have the playmakers but now need the experience to go with that.

Not Premier League ready

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 12: Newcastle United Head Coach Matthias Jaissle kicks the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Newcastle United and Everton at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on August 12, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

With 11 days to go until their curtain raiser at St James' Park against Liverpool, there are far too many teething problems with the squad as things currently stand. Defensively too open, losing in midfield and a lack of goals.

Far too many holes in the squad, with limited options on the bench that can come on and change the game, or even make an impact. There are 20 days left in the transfer window, and there are still many positions Newcastle need to fill.

Now, Matthias Jaissle will go back and look at what he needs, not to mention continuing to work on many of these problems in preparation for their first game of the season.

But given their outing against Premier League opposition out in Scotland, it is a big risk for Jaissle and this current squad. His style and tactics can be seen, but he needs a lot of help if Newcastle want to at least come close to a European finish this season or even just stabilise a mid-table finish.

Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #14 Desire Doue celebrates scoring the 2-1 goal with his teammates during the UEFA Supercup football match between Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on August 12, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Senior Physical Performance Coach José Jiménez Iglesias during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 11, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: John McGinn of Aston Villa, speaks to the media during an Aston Villa Press Conference prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Darko Bandic - Pool/Getty Images)

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11: Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, speaks to the media during an Aston Villa Press Conference prior to the UEFA Super Cup 2026 at Stadion Salzburg on August 11, 2026 in Salzburg, Austria. (Photo by Leonhard Simon - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 11 : Head coach Unai Emery of Aston Villa spekas to press memebers at Salzburg Stadium, ahead of the UEFA Super Cup match against last season's UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, in Salzburg, Austria on August 11, 2026 (Photo by Isa Terli/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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