Analysing Newcastle’s improved attacking output
After a shaky start to the year, Eddie Howe’s side are now in a great position to achieve a top four Premier League finish.
Newcastle’s poor league form in 2023 saw only three goals scored in seven games by February, picking up only one win in this period.
However after securing an enormous win against Manchester United, Eddie Howe’s side look to be back to their best and picking up the form we saw in the first half of the Premier League campaign.
A few tactical tweaks have come to fruition and led to the team scoring six goals in the last three games whilst gaining all nine points and putting the Toon in a great position for Champions League football next year.
Dan Burn’s shift to left back has been important in Newcastle’s defensive record as he allows the team to retain their three at the back shape whilst Trippier provides attacking threat down the right however Burn rarely provided any attacking support himself.
Recently, this has changed and he has been bombing forward and overlapping Allan Saint Maximin down the left wing to provide the Frenchman with much needed support.
The effect of this new role has been clear to see, with Burn averaging 12.1 touches in the attacking third, 2.1 touches in the opposition box and 1.9 progressive passes received per 90. This is a big increase from the first 20 games of the season as you can from the table below.
His runs and presence in the final third help to pull the defence out of shape and more importantly, prevent the opposition doubling up on Saint Maximin, allowing him more freedom and space to attack.
The introduction of Saint Maximin into the side has created more directness and threat when in attack due to his ability to beat his man and put the opposition on the back foot.
Despite his defensive work, Joelinton doesn’t offer quite the same attacking ability and since Saint Maximin has had a run in the team and a chance to adapt into Howe’s style, his ability, which was questioned by fans prior, has been clear to see.
Alexander Isak’s return to the team has been one of, if not the biggest impact to the team. The Swede has struggled with injury all season but now Toon fans have seen exactly why the club made him the record transfer in the summer.
He is the complete package, as he drops deep to link play with the midfield whilst also making runs into the channels to stretch the centre backs out of position. His technical and physical ability has caused defender’s nightmares since his return.
When Isak does drop deep, the no.8s have made runs into the space to overload the penalty area and ensure Newcastle have a presence in the box when he isn’t there.
Bruno Guimaraes’ and Sean Longstaff’s rotating roles in midfield have allowed the Brazilian to progress further forward in these advanced positions where he can cause more damage.
These elements culminated in the first goal against Manchester United in the 2-0 victory.
Manchester United’s poor midfield structure provided Isak with space to drop deep and pick up the loose ball between the lines, ahead of Raphael Varane.
The movement and awareness of the Toon’s midfield and forward line created a numerical advantage at the back post.
His presence then dragged Varane and Luke Shaw out of position. The two 8’s, Bruno and Joe Willock, run into the space created as soon as Isak controls the ball.
Which then means that when Saint Maximin heads the ball across, Willock and Jacob Murphy are waiting to convert from the six yard box.
If Newcastle can keep up these performances, there’s no reason why they can’t complete a miraculous season and qualify for Champions League football next season.