No urgency, no desire, problems at the back, problems at the front – Newcastle United head into tough festive period in 'perfect storm'

Four games in 11 days against sides who’ve played Championship football in 2020 has turned into a near disaster fortnight for Steve Bruce and his toiling, tired, drained Magpies.

Outplayed and outfought by West Brom and Fulham, hammered by Leeds United then toyed with by a second string, second tier Brentford to be dumped out of the Carabao Cup quarter final with nothing more than a whimper. The pressure from outside the club is increasing on Bruce (note ‘outside’ the club).

The thing is, games only get tougher from here on out. Manchester City are up next on Boxing Day followed by Liverpool and Champions League-chasing Leicester City. Easy, eh?

Here’s Liam Kennedy’s SEVEN key takeaways from Tuesday evening’s League Cup debacle.

Defensive lapses aplenty – a worrying trend

Newcastle United have often been the architects of their own downfall, this should come as absolutely no surprise.

With a makeshift backline - well, it's not quite that bad - things were always going to be a touch ropey, but there is a definite consistency about this Newcastle defensive line. Without fail, recently, they've gifted chance after chance to the opposition. Last night was no different.

United are gift-wrapping chances for their opponents. They need to give themselves a chance.

Urgency and desire (or lack of)

From minute one Brentford didn't quite look at the races - anyone who has watched them this season or last would not have found that difficult to spot. Newcastle went about their usual business.

The difference - and where this was won and lost - was that Brentford were able to move up a gear, United simply coasted in first.

You'd never have thought this was the first chance United had to progress to a League Cup semi final since the 1970s, or a semi final of any sort since 2005.

Longstaff & Shelvey just isn't working!

Sean Longstaff paired with Jonjo Shelvey didn't work against Fulham, it worked even less against Brentford.

It's difficult to say what they really contributed in either game, in a positive sense, anyway.

Is there anything that can improve on that in reserve? You have to worry for Sean's brother Matty Longstaff if he cannot break into this side, in its weakest department.

Armband rethink needed

Watching Shelvey for 90 minutes against Brentford it is hard to know what Steve Bruce is seeing that others are not.

Is Shelvey a leader, has he ever been a leader? He has been found wanting for United before and it looks to be the same way again.

He will no doubt come out fighting again, cupping ears or throwing shade on journalists, when he scores a goal or breaks the trend with a decent run of performances but fans aren’t daft. They know the score.

Is Jacob Murphy the answer to any question?

As a footballer, when on song, there is a lot to like about winger Murphy.

His heart is in the right place, he is full of effort and is definitely a trier - but does he possess the right kind of quality to play week-in, week-out for Newcastle United? He is an OK right back and an OK wideman, but for all the pace and odd decent delivery, he lacks a real consistency of performance and too easily drifts in and out of games. Tuesday night was definitely an out of sorts show for the player.

Getting worse, not better – United’s left-back issue

I've stood by the performances of Jamal Lewis for some time - but not it's getting to the point where he needs taken out the team for a break.

This is a learning season for him at United, and it is starting to show.

Given a lesson in the first half, a slight improvement in the second. Struggling.

When will we see United's 'best' forward line?

Will Steve Bruce ever pick Dwight Gayle up top with Callum Wilson from the off?

With games coming thick and fast you can see the want to keep Gayle fresh, but Wilson has not been afforded the same luxury, with both coming off recent injuries.

The most natural two forwards United have on their books are Wilson and Gayle. It's time the pair were given the chance to form a partnership – because before we know it, history tells us, injury will strike.