Newcastle United season so far defined by these 10 sets of Premier League statistics

Newcastle United are nine weeks and eight matches into their Premier League season.

The three points on Sunday meaning they were lifted from nineteenth to sixteenth place in the table.

However, that still only puts them one point clear of the relegation zone with Chelsea away next.

We will all have our own ideas about what our eyes tell us about this season so far but what do the statistics tell us to help make our mind up?

I had a look at the official Premier League site which threw up these various stats:

Shots

Newcastle United are 19th highest with 76, only Wolves with less

Shots on target

Newcastle United are 19th highest with 21, only Sheff Utd with less

Crosses

Newcastle United are 19th highest with 108, only Norwich with less

Passes

Newcastle United are 19th highest with 2,543, only Burnley with less

Through balls

Newcastle United are joint 20th highest with 4

Corners

Newcastle United are 18th highest with 32, only Villa and Brighton with less

Goals

Newcastle United are 19th highest with 5, only Watford with less

Clean sheets

Newcastle United are joint highest with 3

Offsides

Newcastle United are top with 22 (Almiron 9 and Joelinton 4, are the main offenders)

Possession

The Premier League official site doesn’t have possession stats but BBC Sport shows Newcastle United are 20th in the Premier League with an average of 32% possession.

I think the team have done well to edge out Tottenham and Manchester United in those two matches but the general play and tactics from Newcastle United this season, means that in any game NUFC need just about everything to fall right to get anything.

No surprise that seven of the eight points have been picked up when keeping a clean sheet.

The stats above when taken together, scream one thing  – 19th.

I don’t think you can survive when playing such negative tactics without a decent attacking plan.

Having less possession doesn’t automatically mean failure and very few chances and goals but these stats above show that an average of only 32% is woefully low and isn’t then shown to be irrelevant. Newcastle United are all but rock bottom on everything – shots, shots on target, crosses, corners and of course…goals.

Sunday’s win was built on a clean sheet and David De Gea not saving the only decent shot on target.

We need far more than that because that kind of luck won’t carry us through the season.