HomeFeatured ArticlesNewcastle United - Are the Problems Growing?

Newcastle United – Are the Problems Growing?

Newcastle United started the summer so positively, with the signing of nine new players, but recent events have left them short once again offensively. Alan Pardew stated over pre-season that last season they lacked creativity after the sale of Yohan Cabaye and that has been put right in this window with the signings of Siem de Jong and Remy Cabella. Neither have had much of an impact to date, although it is early in their Premier League careers. The former has this week suffered a groin injury which will see him miss ‘a number of months’. This is a massive blow to Pardew, who has talked very highly about the Dutchman, who was believed to be the crucial player in his new style of play.

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The injury could have a positive effect on Remy Cabella, who will surely be moved in to his preferred position, which is playing behind the striker, the position De Jong was expected to play. He has to date played on the right wing, making little impact. His physicality, or lack of it, has made it difficult for the Frenchman to make his trademark mazy runs and the impact he had in France, and that needs to improve in the coming weeks as the Geordies have made a slow start to the season. They may have netted three times against Crystal Palace, but two of them were scored by defenders and they can’t rely on them to score the goals. The last week of the transfer window was a disaster for Newcastle as they failed to add a top quality centre-back or a prolific forward, two positions they needed to strengthen all summer. Meanwhile, Alan Pardew sanctioned the loan move of Hatem Ben Arfa to Premier League rivals Hull City, which has created a further feeling of frustration among the Newcastle fanbase, who saw the mercurial French winger as one of the club’s most talented and exciting players.

The timing of the injury to De Jong is farcical as had it happened before the deadline, surely Ben Arfa would have been kept as he would provide the creativity the club will be missing, but once again Pardew’s ego came before the good of the club. It isn’t all negative when it comes to midfield options as the club have two very talented England youth internationals coming through and both are on the brink of breaking into the first team. Rolando Aarons and Adam Armstrong will both be given more game time in the absence of De Jong. The former is a pacy left winger, who will add creativity and cutting edge to the front line and he has already showed his ability with an almost match winning performance against Crystal Palace. The winger scored one and created one, while being a constant threat to the Palace back line, who couldn’t deal with him.

Armstrong is primarily a forward, but he could be used in the hole behind Emmanuel Riviere, making him a possible direct replacement for De Jong. The young forward has already scored a hat trick in the reserves this season. He desperately needs first team football to improve even more. Alan Pardew must utilise this two players as they will both add to the attacking threat of his side.

It’s clear that the start of the season has gone the way as the end of last season, with disappointing performances, injury concerns and lots of excuses from Pardew. Although, it’s becoming obvious that the manager will come under huge pressure if they fail to pick up results soon as the fans’ anger is growing quickly. Plus Mike Ashley will be expecting a good results after investing in the side over the summer, Pardew will not get the slack he did last season. The next two games are becoming even more important as Pardew faces a trip to Southampton before a home match against Hull. Last season, Newcastle lost both matches, if they do the same this season, we could see the first managerial sacking of the season in the top flight.

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