Newcastle’s 5-1 mauling of local rivals Sunderland in Gameweek 10 has so far proved a turning point for both sides. While Steve Bruce masterminded the Black Cats to a revival which saw them go the next four undefeated, recording wins over Stoke and Chelsea, Chris Hughton’s Newcastle have slumped alarmingly.
Today’s 3-1 defeat at the Hawthorns was his side’s third defeat in the last five and since putting 5 past Sunderland, they have scored just 5 more goals in the 6 league matches that have followed. Andy Carroll has scored 4 of those goals and assisted the other for Peter Lovenkrands at West Brom today. That stat, above all others, emphasises just how much the Magpies are relying on their big centre-forward…
Defensively alarm bells are also ringing. Following the superb 1-0 win at the Emirates that immediately followed the win over Sunderland, Newcastle have conceded 8 goals in their last couple of away games. That’s a trend that they have to stop or risk being sucked into the relegation mire.
Next weekend’s home encounter with Liverpool is followed by three away trips in four, at Birmingham, Spurs and Wigan. That list of opponents could be worse but clearly, Chris Hughton has work to do ahead of that run. He has a defence that’s conceding goals and an attack that looks impotent and over-reliant on a rather obvious “Plan A”.
Injuries and suspensions have not helped matters. With Kevin Nolan sidelined, Hughton has searched in vain for a reliable partner for Andy Carroll. While Shola Ameobi has fulfilled that role in flashes, he has struggled to maintain his form. Hughton appears to have little alternative but to restore Kevin Nolan up in support of Carroll once his skipper is fit. Newcastle’s passionate following want a 4-4-2 and a more attacking outlook, but Hughton seems restricted by resources; a January hunt for a striker looks on the cards.
Andy Carroll’s goals have meant that Fantasy Managers may well have been oblivious to Newcastle’s decline. The striker, owned by over 50% of Fantasy Premier League sides, has continued to deliver points and fully justified his generous price tag. There will however, be a growing concern about just how long Carroll can going on carrying the burden for scoring the goals to keep Newcastle’s head above water.
Today’s brace from Watchlist climber Peter Odemwingie (priced at 5.1) with the inevitable FPL Bonus to follow, demonstrated that there is even stronger value available elsewhere. If Newcastle continue to struggle and Carroll begins to falter, we could yet see the North East number nine abandoned.
