Howe admits Newcastle “concern” after 2-0 defeat to West Ham uncovers huge concern

Eddie Howe admits our lack of targets this season “is a priority” after we drew a clean in final evening’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham at St James’ Park.

We noticed particular person errors for each targets conceded and struggled defensively in Dan Burn’s absence, however we had been equally poor within the last third, the place we missed probabilities within the first half and didn’t create a factor in a turgid second 45.

We’ve now scored simply 5 targets in six Premier League dwelling video games this season, managing 13 targets in 12 video games total; lower than half the tally we’d racked up at this stage final time period. It’s a fear and was one other instance of how we wrestle to interrupt down low blocks, particularly after going a aim down.

On the shortage of targets, Howe mentioned: “It’s a concern. I can’t say something different as a result of it’s crucial facet of the group. We have to rating to create that perception however we’re nonetheless creating [chances], we may have scored. However we’re nonetheless not as fluid as we may have been.

“Loads of that’s doubtlessly right down to people, their execution and their confidence in these huge moments. We had huge moments and alternatives and if you happen to take these, extra come off the again of it.”

Reflecting on the sport itself, Howe added: “The primary 60 minutes I assumed we had been okay. We conceded two disappointing targets, the primary one, particularly, was disappointing for us as a result of we began effectively. We kick ourselves for that one particularly however we reacted effectively initially. After they scored their second aim we misplaced our approach.

“For each targets we all know we made particular person errors. It was disappointing from our perspective. Very uncharacteristic from us as a result of we’ve defended effectively in current weeks.

“On the finish we had gamers out of place, so I didn’t like the best way we seemed on the finish. However up till that 60 minute mark I assumed we had been the dominant group.”