Three takeaways from Newcastle United’s loss to Bournemouth as they uncover Anthony Gordon’s reality.
That was annoying, isn’t that right? While everyone complains about international breaks, there aren’t many Newcastle United supporters who are upset about the current Premier League break.
A bruised and bloodied Toon team was defeated by Bournemouth, who showed how terrible the injury situation is in the last 20 minutes.
Newcastle faltered on the south coast as a mixture of weary bodies and rookies labored on in vain.
Before the season resumes against Chelsea, just five players will be called up for international duty, providing Eddie Howe’s team plenty of time to recover. After a taxing start to the campaign, the depleted United team will receive massages and ice baths everywhere they go.
What more, though, can Newcastle take away from their defeat by Bournemouth?
While injuries may have been the primary cause of the defeat, were there any other contributing factors?
What can Newcastle do better? ChronicleLive has highlighted three key takeaways from the team’s 2-0 loss.
Gordon is not a forward.
Gordon has demonstrated his skill as a wide player, but he has not yet demonstrated his offensive potential. The 22-year-old, who made waves with the England under-21 squad in the summer, has arguably been the Magpies’ best player thus far this season.
He was the line leader the entire tournament, but it’s a different story when he does it in the Premier League as a professional.
Gordon lacks the physicality and poise necessary to play up front for a player who depends so heavily on speed and his ability to outmuscle a defender.
Not that he can’t grow into the position as his career develops, but as of right now, Gordon seems like a square peg in a round hole.
Unquestionably, the effort is there, but Newcastle needs their lucky charm to be “running down the wing,” as the supporters like to say.
Howe has only been forced to field Gordon through the middle due to the ongoing injury crisis.
Few would argue against bringing in a third-choice striker in January, even if they were on loan.
Required investment for January
This striker is more than just a potential target for Newcastle in the upcoming campaign. Right now, a winger and an additional center back are probably more important.
When supporters saw Fabian Schar go down early on Saturday, their hearts were in their mouths.
Who would have partnered with Jamaal Lascelles in the middle of defense if he had been removed?
The defender will turn 32 next month, so rumors about who might step in as Schar’s long-term replacement were already circulating.
Even before Dan Burn’s back injury ten days ago, Sven Botman’s absence made it clear that more support was needed.
More importantly, Newcastle needs to have more options when it comes to attacking areas.
Unprecedented levels of injury have occurred, of course, but when everyone is healthy, Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy continue to be the team’s best options on the right flank.
Will that actually be enough to keep a spot in the Champions League? Children like Ben Parkinson are thrown into the deep end because the Toon ranks have few resources to turn to when a crisis arises.
In addition to players like Dominik Szoboszlai who can fill in wide when necessary, Liverpool’s roster includes players like Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota.
Newcastle can succeed under Howe, but once the transfer market opens, he will need additional tools to do his job.
Rotten form requires attention.
The Geordies’ memorable Carabao Cup victory over Manchester United, which ended in a 3-0 victory, should not be used as an excuse for Newcastle’s dismal away performance.
The Magpies’ lone away victory in the Premier League since April was an 8-0 thumping of Sheffield United.
Last season, Howe’s team finished third in the top flight’s away standings. They are mired in fifteenth place this time. This season, away from home, teams like Crystal Palace, Everton, and Brentford are performing better than Newcastle.
Four points were dropped at Wolves and West Ham combined, and United’s performances at Brighton and Bournemouth were as bad as they have looked since the Saudi-backed ownership took over.
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