Newcastle: Defeats against Man City, Liverpool and Brighton leave Eddie Howe's side 14th in Premier League table - what's gone wrong?

Newcastle stormed past rivals to secure Champions League football last season but have lost three of their opening four games this term - so what's caused the slump?

Three points from four games is not the start many expected at Newcastle, particularly after spending another £130m on transfers. Yet, there are reasons to suggest a slow start was likely and recapturing the consistency of last season may take time.

Firstly, Newcastle's opening fixtures have been especially daunting. Each of their first four opponents finished in the top seven last season. Eddie Howe's side collected only four points from these four games last season - just one more than their current total.

After facing ninth-placed Brentford in front of the Sky cameras this Saturday, that schedule is about to get a lot more favourable. None of Newcastle's following five opponents finished in the top half last season - although these games will now be punctuated by midweek Champions League fixtures.

Consistency of selection, particularly in their defence, was one reason for the strength for Newcastle last term. The recent defeat to Brighton was just the eighth time since August 2022 that one of their first-choice back four has not started.

The decline, whenever changes have been necessary, has been striking - not just in wins, points and goals conceded, but also in shots faced, with over 50 per cent more conceded.

Newcastle rarely tweaked their pack last season: Arsenal were the only Premier League club to make fewer changes to their starting XI. But with those additional European games looming, variations to the line-up are more likely over the coming months, and Newcastle will need to adapt better.

New signings should help improve this. Howe has given most of