A round-up of the latest Newcastle United headlines on Sunday, 11 September.
The hidden Newcastle United statistics so far this season that will impress Eddie Howe
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe made it clear in pre-season he wasn't just looking for an improvement in terms of results this term.
The former AFC Bournemouth boss was also quick to point out that he was eager to see statistics within his squad get better season on season. Howe was referring to data such as possession, goal attempts and deliveries into the box as well as onfield coverage from his stars.
Individually, Newcastle players are becoming more visible on the Premier League's official stats centre which is powered by Oracle Cloud.
Lucas Paqueta reveals bet with Bruno Guimaraes when Newcastle United take on West Ham
West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta admits he and close friend Bruno Guimaraes agreed to a 'loser pays for dinner' bet ahead of their scheduled Premier League meeting over the weekend. Newcastle United were due to play the Hammers at the London Stadium on Sunday before top flights chiefs cancelled all fixtures following the death of The Queen.
Paqueta and Guimaraes have a close relationship and had planned to meet up for dinner in the capital after the game, with that arrangement now having to be put on hold until the game is rescheduled.
“We had a bet with each other that the loser has to buy dinner — dinner in London, because we already had dinner in Newcastle,” Paqueta told The Times this week. “Bruno and Vinicius Jr [the Real Madrid playmaker] are my two best friends in football."
Newcastle's best XI of season so far: The easy and harsh calls, Anderson's case and sizzling front three
Eddie Howe has now had a good look at his options for the 2022/23 season and won't be disappointed with the shape of his Newcastle United squad so far.
Some stars simply walk into the team given their brilliance while others have stiff competition - and there are also some harsh calls too. But Howe has major decisions to make when play resumes in the Premier League.
Despite suffering a spate of key injuries, Newcastle have lost just one match in the campaign - a narrow defeat in stoppage time to Liverpool - and they have still picked up seven points regardless of a string of poor VAR calls. Howe made four senior summer signings in the transfer window and has tried to blend them into the team that finished 11th last term.
Graham Potter gives special mention to Newcastle United's Dan Ashworth after emotional Brighton exit
Newcastle United's sporting director Dan Ashworth has been hailed as 'first-class' by new Chelsea manager Graham Potter following his emotional Brighton exit. The Magpies chief received the special mention as Potter penned a touching farewell letter to supporters on the south coast earlier this week.
Potter said goodbye to the Amex Stadium on Thursday as he signed a five-year deal as Thomas Tuchel's replacement at Chelsea. The fan-favourite exits Brighton with the club in fourth-place in the Premier League following a flying start to the season.
Potter and Ashworth worked together at the club until the latter left to take up his new role at Newcastle earlier this year. But there was still a mention for the former FA director in the open letter to fans.
Newcastle United's Kings of Wembley came face to face with the real royalty.
It was always a right royal occasion in those far-off days when Newcastle United were the kings of Wembley. As we witness the momentous handover from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III after the longest of reigns we may well recall that United were centre stage during the last royal shift in power.
Winning the FA Cup three times in five short years back in the fifties would normally have meant receiving the grand old pot each time from the same monarch. However when United embarked upon the run in 1951 King George VI was still on the throne and handed over the trophy at what turned out to be his last cup final appearance.
A year later United returned to the Twin Towers to receive the silver pot from Sir Winston Churchill during a time of transition while in 1955 the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, was 28 years of age attending only her third cup final since her accession to the throne. The significance of that occasion is highlighted by the fact that United have never claimed a domestic trophy in the 67 years since a young Queen did the honours.
Supercomputer predicts Newcastle United finish after bright start to Premier League campaign
Newcastle United have made an indifferent start to the Premier League campaign with Magpies boss Eddie Howe admitting that performances have warranted a greater points haul at this stage of the campaign. The Toon have picked up seven points from their opening six games of the campaign, a respectable return when you cater in the two games against Manchester City and Liverpool.
A win on the opening day of the season has been followed up by four draws and one defeat. FiveThirtyEight’s supercomputer - which uses statistical information and detailed data analysis to calculate how the Premier League table will finish in May - thinks after a largely positive start to the campaign, the Magpies will finish in 8th place come the end of the season, on 53 points, seven adrift of Brighton in the final European spot.
Newcastle have been one of the in-form sides in the division since the turn of the year, but have not been able to turn draws into wins so far this season. There's no sign of panic from the black and white faithful with the general consensus in agreement that the club are heading in the right direction.
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