Newcastle United’s season has been a strange mix of brilliance and disappointment moments of joy in Europe contrasted by frustration in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s side have impressed with energy and creativity in the Champions League, scoring eight goals across two victories that reminded fans of the club’s growing stature on the continental stage. Yet, when it comes to domestic football, the same team has looked drained, inconsistent, and miles away from their best.
The recent 3-1 defeat to struggling West Ham highlighted deep-rooted issues, especially among some of the trusted veterans Howe has relied on since taking charge.
One of those figures under growing scrutiny is Dan Burn, a player whose journey from Blyth to St. James’ Park has made him a fan favorite. Burn’s rise has been remarkable a local lad living the dream, a towering presence who gave his all for the shirt, and the man who headed Newcastle to silverware in the EFL Cup earlier this year.
Howe himself has often called Burn “incredible,” praising his leadership and commitment. But football is a ruthless game, and sentiment rarely wins matches. Now 33, Burn’s recent performances suggest that time may be catching up with him.
Against West Ham, the flaws were plain to see. Operating as a makeshift left-back, Burn struggled to influence the game, failing to complete a single successful dribble and losing possession 14 times.
His lack of pace and limited attacking contribution made Newcastle’s left flank predictable and easy to contain. While his defensive instincts remain strong, the full-back role exposes his weaknesses areas where younger, quicker players like Lewis Hall can offer more dynamism.
With Hall regaining fitness, it might be time for Howe to make the difficult decision and give Burn a breather for the upcoming Champions League clash against Athletic Club.
Burn’s decline isn’t a reflection of effort or attitude but a simple case of the game evolving around him. Newcastle’s high-intensity, press-driven approach demands full-backs who can stretch the field, overlap, and recover quickly traits that don’t align with Burn’s natural strengths as a central defender.
With the arrival of new signings like Malick Thiaw and the continued reliability of Sven Botman, Burn’s long-term role may now lie back in the heart of defense or even as an experienced squad player rather than a guaranteed starter.
The challenge for Howe doesn’t stop there. Another of his loyal servants, Joelinton, has also been struggling to hit his usual standards. The Brazilian midfielder, adored for his work rate and physicality, has long been a symbol of Newcastle’s transformation under Howe.
His journey from misfiring forward to powerhouse midfielder is one of the Premier League’s great reinvention stories. However, this season, Joelinton has looked far from his best. Journalist Mark Douglas recently noted that the midfielder has been “nowhere near his best,” and the statistics back it up.
So far, Joelinton has only managed two goals this campaign both coming in the EFL Cup against lower-league opposition, Bradford City. In the defeat to West Ham, he appeared sluggish, winning just three of his seven duels as Lucas Paquetá and Freddie Potts dominated midfield.
For a player once described by Kieran Trippier as a “machine,” the drop in intensity has been alarming. The hunger and bite that once defined his performances seem to have dulled, and Newcastle’s midfield has suffered because of it.
Howe has shown great loyalty to his senior players, but as the season wears on, rotation may become essential. Youngsters like Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey impressed in Europe recently, showing energy and composure that Newcastle desperately need in the Premier League.
Introducing fresh legs while giving senior figures like Burn and Joelinton a short rest could help restore balance and intensity to the side.
Here’s a quick look at the most-used players under Eddie Howe so far, which highlights just how much reliance he has placed on a small core group:
| Player | Games Played |
|---|---|
| Bruno Guimarães | 168 |
| Fabian Schär | 163 |
| Dan Burn | 163 |
| Jacob Murphy | 148 |
| Joelinton | 143 |
It’s clear that Burn and Joelinton have been pillars in Howe’s system, but both may need to take a step back for Newcastle to take a step forward. With new signings settling in and key players returning from injury, the manager finally has options to rotate without weakening the side.
Eddie Howe faces a defining moment in his tenure. He must balance loyalty with progress ensuring that those who helped Newcastle rise remain respected, but not at the cost of the team’s momentum.
Dan Burn’s leadership and Joelinton’s physicality will continue to be valuable, but right now, Newcastle’s survival in the Premier League and their push for European success might depend on injecting fresh energy and allowing their weary warriors some time to recover.
Change isn’t always easy, especially when it involves local heroes and long-serving players, but Newcastle’s future depends on adapting before it’s too late. Burn and Joelinton’s story isn’t over it’s just time for a new chapter, one where they guide from the sidelines as the next generation carries the club forward.
