Newcastle’s limp start to the new campaign continued at the weekend when they stuttered to a
goalless draw at Bournemouth and the Magpies have now won only once in six attempts since the summer.
With Champions League fatigue the motivation, Eddie Howe chose to rest a number of key players, including Joelinton,
Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes on Sunday, and a weakened Newcastle registered just 0.10 in expected goals in a toothless showing at the Vitality Stadium as a result.
Indeed, Howe’s Newcastle have been struggling for goals since the summer, netting just four times in six fixtures combined in all competitions,
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while also posting three 0-0 draws inside their first five Premier League assignments.
Howe is likely to keep his star players wrapped in cotton wool again for the visit of Bradford City on Wednesday evening.
The visitors have started their campaign brilliantly and occupy top spot in League One, and they are playing with enough confidence to make life awkward for a shuffled Newcastle XI.
