Overview
- Newcastle are winless in eight Premier League away games since April’s 3-0 victory at Leicester, entering Brentford one point and one place behind the hosts.
- A 3-1 defeat at West Ham last weekend was followed by a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, giving Newcastle three wins from four in their Champions League group.
- Alan Shearer contends record signing Nick Woltemade lacks the pressing energy of predecessors such as Alexander Isak or Yoane Wissa, which he says hurts away displays.
- Howe insists his squad is not lazy, acknowledges they looked lethargic against West Ham, and says he could use the criticism to drive a response on Sunday.
- Football Insider reports internal questions over the away run and confidence from club hierarchy in resolving it, as Shay Given predicts no January additions and points to Wissa’s pending return from injury.