Newcastle Must Improve Attack After String of Goalless Draws

Newcastle United's 0-0 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium has left the team with a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, they have now achieved three consecutive clean sheets on the road in the Premier League this season, showcasing their defensive prowess. However, the Magpies have also failed to score in these matches, raising concerns about their attacking capabilities.

Manager Eddie Howe acknowledged that his team's attacking force is still "evolving and changing" after the departure of Alexander Isak. The club's new signings, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, are expected to fill the void, but they are facing challenges in adapting to the team's dynamics. Wissa, a proven Premier League player, is currently sidelined with a knee injury, while Woltemade is adjusting to the physical demands of the top flight.

Despite having more touches inside the opposition box than Bournemouth, Newcastle struggled to create clear-cut chances. The team's new signing, Woltemade, showed glimpses of his tidy link-up play, but was unable to capitalize on his opportunities. Howe admitted that his team's lack of shots on goal in the second half was "not good" and that they need to create more scoring chances.

On a positive note, Newcastle's defensive unit has been solid, with no other team in the top-flight having more shutouts than them this season. Centre-back Dan Burn made 11 clearances, and goalkeeper Nick Pope made crucial saves to secure a valuable point. Pope, one of the few survivors from the midweek loss against Barcelona, was instrumental in denying Bournemouth a win, keeping out Tyler Adams' effort and parrying Justin Kluivert's well-struck free-kick in stoppage time.

The rotation of players by Howe was a sign of things to come, as the team prepares to face a congested fixture list in the coming weeks. With key players like Bruno Guimaraes being rested, and young players like Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley getting their chances, the squad is expected to be utilized fully in the upcoming matches. As Burn noted, the team has invested heavily in the summer transfer window, and it's time to make the most of their new signings.