Key man too important: Three areas Newcastle United must improve after win v Stoke
The reliance on Matt Ritchie
If you were to ask any Newcastle fan who their most important player so far had been, the majority, if not all, would answer Matt Ritchie, with Jamaal Lascelles likely to be a close second.
That will prove to be a problem in the long run for Newcastle.
They are too reliant on the Scottish international creating their goal scoring opportunities, with the 28-year-old having set up four out of their six goals this season.
No one else looks capable of crafting the same number or quality of chances, whether that be from set pieces or open play, and that is something Benitez will need to tackle if his side are to have continued success.
The likes of Christian Atsu, who has a goal and an assist to his name, has impressed in flashes, but the rest of the midfield need to be working to avoid a reliance on Ritchie.
If anything, he is too important to the side.
In other Newcastle United news, this attacker has revealed why he snubbed the Magpies’ transfer pursuits over the summer.
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