Newcastle United are now facing a crunch 42-day period that will shape their season ahead of the unprecedented World Cup break in November. When players return from international duty in the build-up to the clash at Fulham on October 1, the trip to Craven Cottage will be the first of nine matches before the tournament in Qatar.
There will be 24 points available to Eddie Howe and the chance to keep one pathway to Wembley in the League Cup open going into the winter. In short, the 42-day run of matches will be a major test to a squad that have already felt the strain of a high-octane season so far with key stars like Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes and Jonjo Shelvey breaking down in the summer months alone.
Howe was realistic about where Newcastle are in terms of results going into the international break. He stated he was "desperate" to see his side win and that the solitary Premier League win of the season back on August 6 against Nottingham Forest felt like a "long time" in waiting.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe hint on possible Newcastle United system that will see £83m double act play together
When asked how he will use the international break, Howe said: "We’ll give them a bit of time off at the beginning of next week, and a chance to just regroup mentally. "It’s a very busy period when we return, and it’s going to be a key spell before the World Cup.
"How well we do in this next group of games will be very important."
The six-game run without a victory has similarities to Howe's early days as boss. He also went six matches without a win in the Premier League and FA Cup between December 12 and January 22 last winter. That barren run was ended with a 1-0 win at Leeds - a victory that laid foundations for a strong push towards early survival.
And that's the type of performance and result that Newcastle will need again at Craven Cottage when play resumes in the top-flight. It doesn't have to be spectacular, it just needs to be a win. Here's a closer look at what lies ahead for the Magpies before action gets under way in Qatar.
Newcastle's crunch run of games before the World Cup
Fulham (a) October 1
United face a Fulham side that have made a flying start to life back in the Premier League. Aleksandar Mitrovic has six goals to his name and after three wins and two draws the Cottagers sit in the top six under Marco Silva.
Brentford (h) October 8
The return of Ivan Toney to St James' Park will offer a stiff test. Toney netted in this fixture last season in the game that Eddie Howe missed due to Covid. It ended 3-3 last time.
Manchester United (a) October 16
The Sky Sports cameras will be in attendance at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag had a sticky start to life as Man United boss but has turned things around with four wins in the Premier League. It's never easy for Newcastle here with just one win since 1972.
Everton (h) October 19
Hot on the heels of the game at Old Trafford, Frank Lampard's Everton will be in Toon. This game is on Amazon Prime and Newcastle will be looking for a repeat of the 3-1 win over the Toffees last term when Ryan Fraser and Kieran Trippier were on the scoresheet.
Tottenham Hotspur (a) October 23
This will be the third game in seven days for United as they look to erase memories of a 5-1 defeat here last season. Tottenham have started the season well but might be feeling the effects of a Champions League and Prem programme by this point.
Aston Villa (h) October 29
Steven Gerrard will hope is bad patch of form is behind him but this will be an interesting battle between Howe and the ex-Liverpool man. Kieran Trippier's goal won it last season.
Southampton (a) November 6
This game has been shifted for a Sky Sports Super Sunday clash at 2pm. The long journey on a Thursday night was well worth it for United fans as the Magpies won 2-1 and Bruno scored a backheeled wonder volley. How Newcastle could do with a bit more of that.
Crystal Palace (h) November 9, League Cup third round
A home tie for Newcastle was the reward for beating Tranmere Rovers. Victory here would keep the season alive in this competition and give fans something to look forward to after the World Cup if another kind draw comes United's way. Can Howe and co take one step closer to Wembley?
Chelsea (h) November 12
The final game before the World Cup starts. We all know that lingering feeling of disappointment after a poor result before an international break. But a defeat here would hang around for six weeks! United need to sign off in a good manner.
READ NEXT
-
- Hugo Ekitike's PSG situation after Newcastle United snub a timely reminder to European talent
- Possession counts for little as United held: Newcastle 1-1 Bournemouth match report
- Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil 'never really felt under threat' by Newcastle United
- Newcastle United supporters' 'embarrassing' verdict after Bournemouth draw
- Alan Shearer's 'poor' Newcastle United verdict amid Bournemouth praise
- Isak denied service, Burn pick at the back: Newcastle 1-1 Bournemouth player ratings
