Eddie Howe urged the need for perspective following Newcastle’s draw at Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Miguel Almiron’s goal just before half-time canceled out Marcos Senesi’s opener at the Vitality Stadium but Newcastle struggled to create much more in the way of clear-cut opportunities.
Taking only a point from a team fighting relegation is of course hugely disappointing and it means Howe’s side have now failed to win their last three Premier League games and just one of their last six.
The fact Tottenham were thrashed at Leicester means Newcastle remain in the top four for now, though few can doubt the race is closer than a few weeks ago.
Crucially, however, they are not losing and avoiding defeat at Bournemouth extends Newcastle’s unbeaten run to 17 games, equaling a club record.
What has Howe said about the Bournemouth draw?
Speaking to reporters after the game, the Newcastle boss said (via the Press Association): “Certainly, yeah [struggling to win], but I think there is a lot to consider. We’re on a long unbeaten run, teams are preparing well against us but you’d expect that. It is the Premier League.
“It is up to us to find solutions but the real positive is we are not losing games. Despite not winning, we’re keeping our points tally moving in the right direction and if you look around league, the league is so tight.
“There are a lot of results that mean the challenge for us is to be as consistent as we can. We’re going through a phase where we’re creating chances but not scoring and I think that will end, I don’t think that can continue.”
Should Newcastle be disappointed?
Given how well this season has gone and the fact there’s a Carabao Cup final a fortnight away means it sounds bizarre to criticise Newcastle.
Still, there’s a difference between a fair reflection and downright doom-mongering. There’s no getting away from the fact that failure to beat Leeds and West Ham at home and Bournemouth away is a worry, particularly with the defence having finally been breached.
However, and while clearly positive XG (expected goals) numbers will count for little should Newcastle fall out of the top four, they are at least an indication that the chances are still being created. Indeed, Understat data notes Howe’s side had the kind of high-quality opportunities to win all of those games, albeit Bournemouth ran them closer than would have been expected.
At the very least, that points to a finishing issue, rather than anything particularly systemic within the team.
So, in short, yes Newcastle fans have reason to be disappointed but the team remain on the right track.
