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DAN BURN PINPOINTS THE CRUCIAL ELEMENT LACKING IN NEWCASTLE’S GAME

Newcastle's Dan Burn calls for a return of the team's "dark arts" and underdog mentality ahead of their Champions League clash with Athletic Club, after a disappointing loss to West Ham.

Dan Burn Pinpoints the Crucial Element Lacking in Newcastle’s Game
Newcastle defender Dan Burn - Photo Credit: (Owen Humphreys/PA) (PA Wire)

Dan Burn, the defender for Newcastle United, is hoping for a powerful response in Wednesday's Champions League matchup with Athletic Club.

When Newcastle United hosts Athletic Club in the Champions League, the familiar surroundings of St. James' Park will be welcomed once more.

The Magpies suffered another away loss on Sunday, falling to West Ham United 3-1.

Eddie Howe is aware that Newcastle is having trouble travelling, so losing again after three consecutive victories at home was a huge letdown.

Thankfully, Newcastle will be returning home on Wednesday, and they will need to do better.

Dan Burn desires the revival of Newcastle United's dark arts.


Howe did not anticipate Sunday's lacklustre performance since Newcastle lacked any intensity or ferocity.

Newcastle typically exhibits both of those qualities in spades, but Sunday's performance was very different from Toon teams of the past.

Dan Burn, the defender, is fully aware of that and has stated to The Chronicle that the Magpies lack the "black arts" that were prevalent under Howe.

According to Burn, Newcastle used to be able to "bully" teams when they were the underdog, but maybe that advantage is no longer there.

Burn, who acknowledged that Newcastle has not created dark arts well enough this season, believes that the team can still offer an underdog mindset and nearly imitate Arsenal in many areas.

"A few years ago, we were well-known for using some 'housery,' but we have not done it well enough just now," Burn stated.

"We were more of an underdog the first year we qualified for the Champions League, and clubs did not respect us as much as they ought to have." We could defeat ugly and bullying teams, but as you advance and acquire players of higher calibre, you start to move away from that and alter your style of play. However, Arsenal leads the league and excels at both of those things in addition to playing excellent football.

Even if you are not the underdog, you can still have an underdog mindset. "The world's top teams are capable of doing that," he continued.

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle United must find the correct recipe.


Burn is correct to draw attention to Newcastle's lack of effort in certain matches.

Although St. James' Park offers a difficult environment for any visiting team, that advantage must also originate internally.

That might be a contributing factor in Newcastle's severe road struggles.

Although some players still have that nasty edge, Newcastle should emulate teams like Arsenal or Atletico Madrid by combining thrilling football with toughness, aggression, and a fighting mentality.

Burn obviously wants to see that combination return soon, as Newcastle has not found it this season.

At Newcastle United, Jonjo Shelvey knew two Joelintons: the dominant midfielder and the struggling striker.

Eddie Howe chose to turn the 33-year-old into a midfielder while he was at St. James' Park when Joelinton came for a club record amount of £40 million.

Joelinton's change in black and white has been amazing, and he is now a vital part of a Newcastle United team that is winning trophies and making it to the Champions League.

It is a striking difference for a player who arrived wearing the iconic number nine shirt, yet did not appear at all at ease in front of the goal.

In the Newcastle United dressing room, he was not seen that way, even though Toon supporters were amazed by what they had acquired.

EXPERT ANALYSIS: EDDIE HOWE IDENTIFIES "CONFIDENCE" AS THE KEY TO FIXING NEWCASTLE’S AWAY FORM

Despite a nervy second half, Eddie Howe’s side clinched their second away win of the season. Read the full Turf Moor match report.

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Eddie Howe says Newcastle are still not "super confident"

Eddie Howe’s team barely scraped by Burnley, grabbing only their second Premier League away win this season.

The Magpies jumped ahead quickly with a goal from Joelinton at Turf Moor. Soon after, Yoane Wissa, in his debut Premier League start for the club, made it 2-0. Josh Laurent then scored an awesome volley, cutting the lead in half. Newcastle clung to their lead until Bruno Guimaraes scored a third goal during stoppage time.

It wasn't a pretty game for Newcastle United on that cold night in Lancashire. They needed those three points, especially after that tough loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday.

This win nudged Howe’s team into the top half of the Premier League, with Crystal Palace and Leeds United up next. But, let's be real, their play didn't exactly inspire confidence that they've turned things around away from home.

Eddie Howe shared his thoughts on Newcastle United’s win over Burnley. What’s the answer to their away game struggles? Howe thinks it boils down to ‘confidence.’

“I think we've been close before. I feel we're headed in the right direction when you look at how we’re playing, Howe said as he talked about his team’s showing.

“If you keep playing well, you’ll win. Manchester United is a good example. I don’t think we played badly, and we had chances to get more from the game. We didn't score, but we played well overall.

“I think we will win games because of the kind of play that we have, and that’s what happened. We're not feeling super confident right now, which is clear.

“But, I think it’s mostly a confidence thing. And the only way to fix that is to win the next game.”

Howe said this: “It was a huge win for us. I don't think it matters how we got it. We just needed to get it.

“We started really strong, knowing how crucial this game was. I can’t say enough about how the players fought through it.

“That second half was significant for us. We had to make it.

“I give the players credit for finishing the game and showing the team's character.”

Newcastle United now has a few days to chill after the win at Turf Moor before heading back to Tyneside for four home games in a row. First up is Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. After that, they’re up against Daniel Farke’s Leeds United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday, January 7.

Then, they’ve got two cup games against Premier League teams. They’re hosting Bournemouth in the FA Cup and then playing the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

EDDIE HOWE ADDRESSES ALAN SHEARER’S COMMENTS BEFORE TONIGHT’S MAJOR KICKOFF AT BURNLEY

Alan Shearer sets a massive challenge for Newcastle United: win the next four games to ignite their 2026 Premier League campaign.

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Alan Shearer Wants Eddie Howe To Stay Until The Summer.

Before tonight's game against Burnley, Alan Shearer told Newcastle United what he wants to see in the next month.

Newcastle is currently 14th in the Premier League, which isn't good enough, but there's still a lot of the season left.

Even though Eddie Howe isn't in danger of losing his job, people are still worried about how the team is playing.

Another loss at Burnley on Tuesday would really increase the pressure. Alan Shearer thinks this game could be the start of something better.

Newcastle United Needs to Win Their Next Four Games

On Match of the Day, the Newcastle United legend sounded positive about the team's next few games and & thinks this could turn their season around.

He said, Yes, this could change things. A few weeks ago, everyone thought Fulham would get demoted, but they've won three straight games, and & now they're in the top half.

Newcastle needs to do that. Their next four games are against Burnley, Palace, Leeds, and Wolves. They have a good chance to win some.

These four league games are part of a busy January for Newcastle, with important Champions League matches against PSV Eindhoven and PSG and an FA Cup game against Bournemouth, as well as the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Man City.

This period of games could really make or break Newcastle's season.

He should stay until the end of the season so everyone can make a better decision instead of rushing into anything. Hopefully, there will be more choices to replace him by the summer.

Where Newcastle Could Be If They Win

Let's say Newcastle wins all four of their games. It might happen, but those 12 points might just push Newcastle to just outside the top five or six in the league.

Aston Villa could get no points during that time and still be ahead of Newcastle before they play each other at the end of January. That shows how far apart Newcastle and Aston Villa are this season.

Still, getting to 35 points before the end of next month would really help Newcastle. The teams above them will probably also get points, so Newcastle might not move up the table much, but it's important for them to catch up to their rivals soon.

Premier League Standings

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