This is the one word I'm using to describe Newcastle United right now - and I don't like it

Myself (Jordan Cronin), Liam Kennedy and Dominic Scurr make up the Geordie Journos - providing regular news, analysis and reaction to all things happening at St James’ Park.

While all is not wrong at Newcastle, all is not right either. With the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea extending the winless run to five matches in the Premier League, I argue that Eddie Howe’s side have become predictable.

Speaking on the show, I explained: “It’s just predictable, that’s the best way I can describe Newcastle at this moment in time.

“Coming here and losing was predictable. The way Newcastle set up was predictable. The only surprise was seeing Harvey Barnes come in for Anthony Gordon, which was injured enforced. Miguel Almiron, who looked out of the picture at the start of the season is now being turned to by Eddie Howe because Jacob Murphy is out of form.

“The only tweaks I’m seeing are like for like changes, and the substitutes were the same as well. In previous games, Sandro Tonali was the man coming on for Sean Longstaff and now it’s the other way round.

Watch Geordie Journos on Shots! Have Newcastle United become predictable?

“I feel like Newcastle have been in a rut for a while, it probably goes back to last season but they found a way to finish the season strong and get 7th. Of course, they were unlucky to miss out on Europe.

“If you break down the Chelsea game, you can say Newcastle competed outside the opening 20 minutes. But I’m not basing my opinion on what I’ve seen today, I am basing it over a number of games and what I’ve seen, I don’t particularly like.

“There needs to be a new energy about the place, and ultimately its on the manager to try and find that outside the transfer window because the system and way of playing has been the same for two-and-a-half-years. I also think teams have worked them out.

“Eddie Howe wasn’t backed in the summer but to that end as well, the lack of funds because of PSR etc comes back to Newcastle not selling very well. It’s all linked.

“The club feels like it’s in a very stale place at the moment. They could go and beat Chelsea and Arsenal this week but I still have doubts as to how Newcastle will perform over a long-term period.”

You can watch Geordie Journos every Monday at 10:30pm on Freeview channel 262 & Freely channel 565, or on ShotsTV.com.