Eddie Howe: Newcastle midfielders didn’t ‘function well’ in Brighton loss | OneFootball

Newcastle United succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion yesterday.

The Magpies were hoping to build on their League Cup win last term, but are paying the price for a dysfunctional transfer window.

Newcastle were overrun by a rampant Brighton that wanted it more.

Eddie Howe’s side was especially second best in the engine room. He made changes, but they had limited impact. Howe was unhappy with his midfielders.

He said (via the BBC): “They are brilliant players, but they didn’t function well today, but I don’t think the team did.

“When we conceded the second goal, we were the dominant team. We responded really well in the second half.

“They (Brighton) didn’t have many attacks in that spell, but they did go and score.”

Record Premier League goalscorer Alan Shearer echoed the same sentiment.

Shearer said on BBC TV’s Match Of The Day (via the Argus): “Newcastle, I thought, were too easy to play through at times.

“Newcastle covered six kilometres less ground than Brighton out of possession. It was unusual for Newcastle, the first goals they have conceded away from home.”

The Magpies have an enviable midfield – Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes – but need quality on the bench.

While much of the summer transfer window focused on how the club missed out on attacking signings, they needed midfield reinforcements.

The decision to let go of Elliot Anderson still stings, and the addition of Jacob Ramsey did not move the needle.

New sporting director Ross Wilson must recruit at least two quality midfielders to bolster Howe’s squad.

The Geordies need a natural holding midfielder and ball-winner, a profile they currently lack in the squad. A more expansive playmaker is also required.