Brentford vs Newcastle 3-1: Magpies’ Away Crisis Deepens as Eddie Howe Feels the Heat

Newcastle’s Away Woes Persist

A mantra familiar to fans throughout the nation echoed less than a year ago:

I don’t want to go home.

Newcastle United supporters expressed their joy, claiming those were the best trips they had ever experienced. However, triumphs at top venues like the Emirates and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium felt far from reality as Newcastle suffered a 3-1 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

This unwelcome result was not the ideal way for manager Eddie Howe to mark a pivotal stage of his tenure with the Magpies. His squad has struggled to secure consistent Premier League victories away from home, now sitting uncomfortably low in the table, just points above the danger zone.

Howe admitted when discussing the stark difference in away performance:

I cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for this. We haven’t fulfilled our responsibilities, and we believe we’ve disappointed everyone. When mistakes happen, they are unintentional. All we can do is acknowledge it and aim to correct it. That’s our focus moving forward.

Brentford Hands Newcastle a Harsh Realization

Similar sentiments were expressed following another disappointing 3-1 loss recently to West Ham in London. Team captain Bruno Guimarães mentioned that they would be “fired up” to turn their fortunes around.

The core of the squad that featured against West Ham was given a fresh chance to break Newcastle’s away win drought against Brentford. However, despite showing promise in their home performances at St. James’ Park, this team struggles when faced with the challenges of playing away in the Premier League.

Even when taking the lead through Harvey Barnes, Newcastle faltered. The lack of clinical finishing and defensive lapses allowed the Bees to take control of the match.

Barnes remarked to reporters:

It’s hard to grasp why the outcomes differ so much. By all rights, they shouldn’t.

Yet, the losing pattern remains persistent.

The term “relentless,” often used to describe Newcastle under Howe’s guidance, was instead applied to Brentford by their manager, Thomas Frank. He noted that his team outperformed Newcastle by covering greater distances, winning more aerial battles, and achieving significantly more shots on target.

We want to create an uncomfortable environment for the opponents

-Frank stated, and that sentiment rang true against a fragile Newcastle side.

Reflecting on a Near Miss

In a match that may be easily overlooked, Newcastle led at halftime but failed to capitalize on their advantage. It wasn’t until nearly 30 minutes had passed that they managed their initial shot on target, which Barnes expertly converted; however, they couldn’t muster another.

This predicament has become a recurring theme for Newcastle, failing to score more than once in multiple away fixtures this season. While Alexander Isak remains the primary threat, he often finds himself isolated when the midfield fails to bridge the gap.

Amidst the pressure, the support for the frontline to secure critical goals has waned. Notably, the team has become overly reliant on individual moments of brilliance from Barnes or Anthony Gordon rather than cohesive attacking play.

Howe remarked:

We anticipated the start might be bumpy due to the transitional nature of our team. However, we have no valid excuses.

Defensive Issues Surface Again

Concerns persist regarding Newcastle’s defensive capabilities, which are just as troubling as their struggles to score. Initially, the team relied on a sturdy defense, but that solidity has vanished in recent weeks.

The team has given up a high volume of goals in recent matches against Brentford, Brighton, and West Ham, showing a troubling decline at the back. After a lapse in concentration following a long throw-in, goalkeeper Nick Pope found himself in a difficult position, allowing Kevin Schade to level the score. While Guimarães protested that Pope was obstructed, the goal stood, and Newcastle failed to recover.

Dan Burn narrowly avoided conceding a penalty early in the match but remained on the field despite receiving a booking. His eventual struggles left Newcastle with fewer options, especially with the backline looking increasingly stretched.

As the game progressed, Newcastle’s defensive frailties became even more pronounced, culminating in a third goal for Brentford following a lack of urgency in the defensive transition.

Howe stated:

We accept full responsibility for our performance, and it’s up to us to make the changes.