Newcastle United must repeat Champions League season secret

A top four finish will be made easier if Newcastle repeat their 2022/23 secret

What wins titles? What produces the cherished dream of European qualification?

Almost inevitably it is a team’s away results. Every top side performs at full power in front of their own baying public but it is when they hit the road, Jack, that the tough have to get going.

Two seasons ago, 2022-23, Newcastle United spectacularly qualified for the Champions League because their away record showed eight wins, eight draws, and only three defeats with 32 goals scored and a mere 19 conceded. That was the third best set of figures in the country, only bettered by those who finished one and two – Manchester City and Arsenal. A mere three losses in 19 matches was phenomenal backed by a miserly defence which let in just 19 goals in 19 games.

Fast forward a year and United failed to make Europe in any shape or form in 2023-24 finishing seventh. Their away figures? Won six, drawn two, lost 11 with 36 goals scored but a whopping 40 let in. The 11th best in the land.

Now we come to what I’m getting at _ so far this campaign United have won one, drawn two and lost 2 of their five games on the road which places them 11th again in the tell-it-all table. In other words things have to improve and that needs to start straight away at Nottingham Forest come Sunday early afternoon.

Only this week Alexander Isak, back amongst the goals, was waxing lyrical about how a 50,000 strong Toon Army lifts him to great heights at home and that is understandable. However it is when the majority of the crowd are against you yet victory is yours that you become achievers.

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United need to up their PL goals tally which stands at a paltry 10 from 10 fixtures. Only Joelinton has scored from midfield, only Fabian Schar whatever the back line with the Mags absolute paupers when it comes to set pieces despite having a team of giants.

Come on Bruno and Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Sandro Tonali, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. We need you to weight in big time. So far United’s goals spread in the league shows Isak and Barnes with three a’piece, Gordon two, Joelinton and Schar one. Full stop.

Isak, with three in his last three league and cup outings, has paid tribute to Graeme Jones, a coach who often goes under the radar but having been a striker himself works with the forwards. It was good to hear.

Jones is a Geordie and lifelong NUFC supporter who once set Wigan’s goalscoring record with 31 in a single league season. He went on to coach with both the Belgium and England international squads as well as a host of top clubs so he has pedigree.

Admittedly Nottingham’s City Ground is currently not an easy place to go but then the Premier League is no walk down Sunset Boulevard. United have to believe because when they do they can be a force. The balance of the team is crucial be it who forms the midfield three or who plays wide up top. Eddie Howe got that spot on against Arsenal with Willock and Big Joe working well in tandem on the left and Gordon taking advantage of being naturally right footed to whip in the cross first time for the winner instead of looking to cut inside onto his preferred foot.

The trio in the middle of the field was perfect to protect Schar and Dan Burn who can both be exposed for pace. Not that Chris Wood will run away from them but others might. Same again Eddie?

United’s boss can infuriate some fans with his team selection _ which manager doesn’t _ but often it is because he is particularly obsessive about protecting players for various reasons. Remember when he would’n pick Anthony Gordon and Hall immediately after they arrived, believing they were not up to speed, and now Tonali is being nursed after his long enforced lay off. Lloyd Kelly is a recipient of similar caution after his summer arrival. Results determine if a manager is right so Howe about going out and winning Newcastle?

This will be the club’s third visit to the City Ground in 2024 and they triumphed on both the other occasions _ a Premier League victory last February was followed by the Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out success in August. A hat-trick has to be the ambition of the ambitious.

Newcastle United must repeat Champions League season secret – starting at Nottingham Forest

A top four finish will be made easier if Newcastle repeat their 2022/23 secret

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