Newcastle United head to Brentford this Sunday with one big question hanging over them — why can’t they break down the low block?In this episode, Michael Grahamslaw and Iain Mackay dive deep into Newcastle’s tactical struggles against compact, defensive sides and explore how Eddie Howe’s team can finally find solutions ahead of the Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium (Sunday, November 9, 2:00 PM GMT).
In this tactical deep-dive, we cover:
⚫️ Why Newcastle United struggle to break down low-block defences
⚪️ How this tactical issue has hurt them against Everton, Brighton, and West Ham
⚫️ Whether the lack of a true No.10 is holding the attack back
⚪️ The importance of the first goal when facing defensive setups
⚫️ How to unlock Brentford’s compact shape on Sunday
⚪️ Questions from X: Gordon’s form, midfield balance, and set-piece concerns
⚫️ The debate on Nick Woltemade’s role — deep striker or system misfit?
⚪️ What changes are needed in the front three and midfield trio
📊 We also break down the numbers: only two teams in the Premier League have faced lower defensive blocks than Newcastle this season — and it’s starting to show. Can Howe’s men adapt their attacking blueprint before it costs more points?
