Many Newcastle United supporters have been venting their frustration on social media, after one Toon fan shared an alarming stat on Reddit.
Football data and analytics company Stats Bomb have revealed that the Magpies have the lowest pass competition rate in the Premier League for attempted balls in the opponent’s penalty area from the opening two rounds of fixtures.
The graphic excludes Everton’s trip to Aston Villa on Friday night, but shows each top-flight side, other than Newcastle, have at least completed two accurate passes in the opposition’s box. United, on the other hand, are yet to achieve one.
Steve Bruce’s Magpies have attempted five balls in the box from the club’s defeats at home to Arsenal and away to Norwich City, with each of the three efforts from the right-hand side directed toward the edge of the six-yard area.
The two from the left, meanwhile, were directed to the edge of the penalty area and toward the goal line, but neither were able to connect with a teammate in Black and White.
Early days, but through two games, Newcastle have yet to complete a pass inside the opposition box: pic.twitter.com/lPFTMhZXXS
— StatsBomb (@StatsBomb) August 22, 2019
Leicester City top the table after the first two rounds of fixtures, with Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes boasting seven passes inside the box from their draws with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea.
Manchester United, Southampton, Norwich, and Sunday’s opponent Tottenham Hotspur all have six to their names, while Sheffield United and Brighton & Hove Albion have achieved more than Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Watford.
When Newcastle supporters were alerted to the alarming stat, fans saw plenty of reasons why the Magpies have been unable to complete a pass inside the opponent’s box.
Some highlighted Bruce’s often-questioned tactics, while others focused on individual players like Jonjo Shelvey and Miguel Almiron, and how they impact games.
Here’s what these Toon fans have shared…
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