Get the Joe’s back together, sort out isolated Alexander Isak and find the midfield chemistry… the KEY areas for Newcastle to improve going forward

• Despite the early positivity, Newcastle have just one win from their last five 
• Here, Mail Sport’s Craig Hope takes a look at the key areas for improvement
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ 

Newcastle escaped with a point on their return to the Champions League in Milan, but the performance raised as many questions as answers going forward in the competition.

The hosts had 26 attempts on goal and only some fine keeping by Nick Pope and last-ditch defending kept the Italians out.

With Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund to come at St James’ Park, Eddie Howe must find a way to get his team firing again if they are to survive the ‘Group of Death’.

Here, Mail Sport take a look at three key areas for improvement…

Newcastle escaped with a point after their clash with AC Milan in the Champions League 

Eddie Howe (L) will know that his side will have to improve in order to progress from the group

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MIDFIELD CHEMISTRY 

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali should, on paper, be one of Europe’s best midfield pairings. They are starters for Brazil and Italy. On grass, however, there is no chemistry between them, at least not yet.

Are they struggling individually or collectively? Tonali enjoyed a brilliant debut but has been subdued since, while Guimaraes has been out of sorts all season, given the standards previously set.

Howe must identify a way to get his midfield unit better protecting the back four and better serving the front three. That may mean taking one of those underperforming out, or giving them a change of role. Tonali, for example, could be used more centrally, allowing him to see more of the ball and freeing Guimaraes to impact in the final third.

In Milan, it was Sean Longstaff who held the midfield together. There was one occasion when, with Newcastle on the retreat, he ran past both of his team-mates. Howe’s team has its foundations in hard and purposeful running, but the intensity that had become their identity has faded.

ISAK ISOLATED

Alexander Isak is an elite-level player, he belongs in the Champions League. But, right now, he is struggling to impact as the team’s central striker. He has scored in only one of his last 12 appearances. The speed and ingenuity of the supply has faltered and, with it, the Swede’s confidence has taken a hit.

Howe moved him to the left-wing in the second half at the San Siro and he has shown how devastating he can be from that position – remember his stupendous assist at Everton last season, dribbling by four defenders from the touchline? Maybe it is that a reshuffling of the front line will aid their effectiveness. At present, it’s all too predictable.

Harvey Barnes was signed for £38million to provide goals and assists but he has started only once. Indeed, fellow summer signings Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall also remain on the bench. The new arrivals have not yet injected the excitement fresh faces should bring. The energy around the team, by comparison to last season, feels flat.

Bruno Guimaraes (L) and Sandro Tonali (R) are yet to find chemistry on the pitch for Newcastle

Alexander Isak has cast a lonely figure up top for Newcastle at times during the campaign

GET THE JOES BACK 

Joe Willock and Joelinton are injured and Newcastle are missing their running power. They were key men last season and complimented each other well, Joelinton the destroyer and Willock collecting those spare balls and charging upfield. That is not happening now and the midfield needs a ball carrier to break opposition lines.

Since putting five past Aston Villa on the opening day, they have scored just three from five matches. The on-field partnerships that have served them so well either aren’t functioning or have been broken up.

There is, then, a lot for Howe to consider as he attempts to take on the best in Europe. Next up, Kylian Mbappe.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

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