Newcastle United’s defending left an awful lot to be desired last season. For a team who had amassed the joint-second best defensive record in the Premier League during Eddie Howe’s first full season in charge, the drop-off last time out was alarming. Chelsea and West Ham were the only top half teams who conceded more than Newcastle (62) and that frailty is ultimately what cost them a place in Europe. Only Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool scored more goals last season than Newcastle (85), so it was clearly what was going on at the other end of the pitch that caused such issues. READ MORE…
