Newcastle: Howe now 'has concerns' over performances at St James' Park

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and his St James’ Park backroom staff have ‘concerns’ over their struggles to break down opponents during the early stages of the season, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Howe is enjoying his first full campaign at the helm, having been appointed as the Magpies’ head coach last November, but they have failed to pick up as many wins as he would have liked.

Newcastle went into the international break sitting 10th in the Premier League table, having only notched one top flight win from their opening seven outings.

That victory came on the opening day, against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest, while they have also beaten League Two side Tranmere Rovers in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Howe revealed he was ‘very disappointed’ with his side’s performance during the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last time out and added the display was ‘below the levels that we’ve set ourselves’.

Newcastle’s ongoing struggle to secure three points has come despite spending more than £120million bolstering the squad during the summer transfer window, which slammed shut earlier this month.

Alexander Isak became the Tyneside giants’ record signing when he arrived for £63million from Real Sociedad and he has made an instant impact, scoring two goals in his opening three appearances.

Downie has doubts over whether panic has set in over Newcastle’s early season form, but he believes Howe will be worried about the lack of creativity in the final third of the pitch.

The Sky Sports reporter feels the Magpies have failed to carry the momentum they built in the second half of last term into the new campaign.

Downie told GIVEMESPORT: “I don’t think there is any panic, but there are probably one or two