A lot has been made of the impressive starts made by Brighton, Brentford and Leeds United, but Newcastle United have quietly put together a very respectable opening to the Premier League season. 

The Magpies have collected eight points from their first five matches, including two victories, despite undergoing significant changes during the summer. Given the upheaval at St James’ Park, their start has arguably gone under the radar. 

New manager Matthias Jaissle has inherited a very different squad from the one Eddie Howe worked with, while several important players have departed. Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali are among the high-profile exits, leaving many observers and football betting sites expecting Newcastle to struggle to match their previous performances. 

So far, however, those concerns have not materialised. 

Newcastle Have Made A Solid Start 

Eight points from five games represents a solid return, particularly when considering the circumstances surrounding the club. 

Newcastle have already recorded two wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Hull City, while their other three matches have produced two draws and a defeat. There is still plenty of work for Jaissle to do, but the early results suggest that Newcastle may be capable of remaining competitive despite their summer of change. 

The question is whether their current position is sustainable. 

One reason for caution is Newcastle’s underlying numbers. They currently sit bottom of the expected points table, suggesting that their results have been better than the performances underlying them might indicate. 

New goalkeeper Lucas Hornicek has also faced more shots than any other goalkeeper in the division. That statistic highlights how much pressure Newcastle have been under during their opening matches and suggests that their defensive performances will need to improve if they are to maintain their position. 

There Are Reasons To Be Optimistic 

While the statistics provide some cause for concern, there are also plenty of reasons for Newcastle supporters to feel positive. 

The most obvious is the number of players who have been unavailable to Jaissle. 

Newcastle were missing nine first-team players for their most recent match against Hull City. This is particularly significant given that two of the club’s most important leaders, captain Dan Burn and vice-captain Joelinton, have been absent throughout the season so far. 

The Magpies have also had to cope without striker William Osula since the opening-day draw with Liverpool. 

That means Jaissle has not yet had the opportunity to work consistently with his strongest squad. The performances and results Newcastle have produced so far have therefore come despite a lengthy injury list rather than with their first-choice team available. 

The International Break Could Be Important 

The timing of the extended international break could also work in Newcastle’s favour. 

For a new manager taking over at a club that has experienced significant changes to its playing squad, time on the training ground is extremely valuable. Jaissle will have an opportunity to further implement his tactical ideas and work with his players away from the pressure of a packed Premier League schedule. 

By the time domestic football resumes, Newcastle should also have more of their key players available. 

Having Burn and Joelinton back would provide additional leadership and experience, while the return of other first-team players should give Jaissle greater options when selecting his starting XI and making changes during matches. 

The improvement may not be immediate, but Newcastle have plenty of scope to become a more cohesive side as the season progresses. 

No European Football Could Help 

Another factor in Newcastle’s favour is that they do not have European football to contend with this season. 

While competing in Europe is an achievement clubs understandably want, the additional fixtures can place considerable demands on a squad. Newcastle will instead be able to focus their resources on domestic competition. 

That could become increasingly important as the season develops, particularly if Jaissle can establish a settled starting XI and reduce the impact of injuries. 

Can Newcastle Maintain Their Momentum? 

There are clearly two sides to the argument. 

The expected-points numbers and the volume of shots faced by Hornicek suggest that Newcastle have not been completely convincing, and they may need to improve their performances if their results are to remain positive. 

At the same time, it is worth remembering just how difficult their circumstances have been. A new manager, major player departures and a substantial injury list would present a challenge to any Premier League club. 

With eight points already on the board, Newcastle have given themselves a platform from which to build. If they can welcome several key players back after the international break and Jaissle’s ideas begin to take greater shape, the Magpies could look very different in the coming weeks. 

Their strong start may not have attracted the same attention as those of Brighton, Brentford or Leeds, but Newcastle have quietly put themselves in a position to make this season far more competitive than many expected.