Coventry Have Scored Just Once – Can Newcastle Finally Keep a Clean Sheet?

Newcastle United return to Premier League action on Monday evening against a Coventry City side that has scored just one goal in its opening five matches.

On paper, that should present Matthias Jaissle with an excellent opportunity to improve Newcastle's defensive record.

But the statistics suggest it might not be quite so straightforward.

Coventry have lost four of their five Premier League matches, scoring once and conceding ten goals.

However, their solitary goal brought a surprise 1-0 victory away to Nottingham Forest in their last match, giving Frank Lampard's side a much-needed confidence boost.

And Newcastle's defensive record will certainly give Coventry encouragement.

Newcastle Are Conceding Far Too Many Chances

In their opening five league matches, Newcastle have conceded nine goals and faced an average of almost 20 shots per game.

That stat is now well known, but even more concerning, opponents have averaged more than 11 shots from inside Newcastle's penalty area per match.

Jaissle's quick turnover attacking approach has produced some exciting football, but Newcastle have frequently looked vulnerable when opponents break down an attack and move the ball quickly through our lines.

The 4-1 defeat at Leeds exposed those weaknesses particularly badly.

And although Newcastle quickly went 2-0 up against Hull, they still failed to keep a clean sheet and looked vulnerable as soon as Hull pulled a goal back and went looking for an equaliser.

Without the likes of Burn and Jo in the side there is a lack of physical presence, aggression and fist shaking in the team and that can affect how the side reacts when under pressure - especially in a young side still in transition and looking for leadership.

Is Coventry the Perfect Opportunity?

Jaissle hopes to have three or four players returning from the nine who missed the Hull match, with Joelinton and Nico González among those making progress.

That should give Newcastle more options and potentially greater protection for their defence. Jaissle's issue will be who they replace if he brings both back into the team.

Coventry will be desperate to build on their first league victory, and their supporters are still waiting to celebrate a win and Premier League goal at their home stadium.

Newcastle should have enough attacking quality to cause Coventry serious problems and I am looking to Pardo to make his mark and show the undoubted quality he has.

Jaissle needs to start turning Newcastle into a side that controls matches without repeatedly exposing its defence, and Coventry offers a chance to do just that.

After all, if Newcastle cannot keep a clean sheet against a team that has scored only once in five games, those defensive concerns will continue to be an issue.

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