Newcastle United’s start to the season has been extremely dismal. No wins yet in the league, Newcastle fans are currently calling for Alan Pardew to be sacked. The under pressure manager seems to be reluctant to depart the club and Mike Ashley, the owner, seems even more reluctant to sack him.

Team Strengths –

Even though there has been very limited strengths for Newcastle this season there has been one positive and this has been the fans. The only strength which is consistent is the fans. The Newcastle fans manage to fill out a 52,000 plus seater stadium and fill their allocations during away games despite the awful performances.

Team Weaknesses –

It’s going to be hard to limit the weaknesses down to keep this article to the requirements. The first weakness is the defence. They are incredibly shaky at the back and have leaked goals this season away to Southampton (4-0) and Crystal Palace at home (3-3) where we conceded after just 30 seconds. The defence seems to be unorganized and unable to defend. Paul Dummet has been starting recently for them but his performances have been poor. To the bemusement of many, Pardew seems to start Dummet over Massadio Haidara who is the better option.

Another weakness is being unable to create chances. With Remy Cabella arriving in the summer, the fans were excited at how much the team could create via him. He has done the opposite. He may just be settling in but he has failed to create chances for his fellow teammates. Pardew said after the loss away to Stoke, “we lack a person who can take someone on and create chances,” and my answer to that is Hatem Ben Arfa. He froze out our most creative player in the team and then complains about lack of creativity. Typical Pardew.

Another weakness, to add to the already hefty list, is the inability to score goals. Emmanuel Rivieire has failed to score in the league and doesn’t look like Newcastle’s goalscorer they need. Papiss Cisse came back from injury and scored 2 in the 2-2 draw vs Hull. However, he doesn’t look like he will regain his form of previous years playing with this Newcastle team. Pardew refuses to play two upfront meaning Riviere has no support and he needs this. Poor investment in the striking department in the summer has led to this.

Star Player so far this season –

Even though he hasn’t featured a lot, Rolando Aarons has been the most impressive and exciting player this season. When he has come on, he has been extremely direct and creative in his play and gave Newcastle something they lacked. Also, Jack Colback’s start was quite impressive but didn’t impress recently against Stoke.

How did Newcastle do in the transfer window? –

Newcastle recruited 9 players (sent two back on loan, Lascelles and Darlow) and seemed to have replaced and signed well. However, if you compare various signings to who they are “replacing” then arguably, we have stepped backwards. Riviere is the replacement for Loic Remy and isn’t good enough. Remy Cabella is the replacement for Yohan Cabaye and isn’t good enough. Daryl Janmaat is arguably better than his predecessor Mathieu Debuchy but even then it isn’t a step forward.

Best Starting XI –

Krul; Janmaat, Williamson, Coloccini, Haidara; Sissoko, Tiote, De Jong; Aarons, Cisse, Cabella (4-3-3).

How the manager doing so far this season? –

A picture tells a thousand words.

Biggest Worry for the remainder of the season –

Relegation battle. If we carry on like we are and don’t sack Pardew then we are most likely going to be scrapping for survival.

Overall team rating (stars) –

1 star out of 5.