It was an
excellent season in the North East for Newcastle United. Their promotion back
from the Championship was treated with optimism and delight that a classic
Premier League side was back. They dominated the Championship storming to promotion
and they carried this momentum forward into their Premier League return. Finishing
in the top half, Newcastle excelled expectations and played some good football
along way delighting the Newcastle faithful. Rafa Benitez has been a
sensational job at the club even with difficult owner Mike Ashley not giving
him everything he wants and Newcastle’s for sale status. Rafa Benitez has created
a hard-working team with flare and the Newcastle fans do admire the Spaniard
and they will hope they can do bigger and better things this season by potentially
winning a cup or securing another top half finish. Benitez always wants to improve,
and this resonates with his team and he has united the fan base by giving them
a team to be proud off.
Newcastle’s
foundations for success is certainly built on a solid defensive line. Benitez is
renowned for his solid defences which allow his passing style to be
incorporated. Captain Jamaal Lascelles was fantastic in the heart of Newcastle’s
defence leading by example from the back and he is a true leader in Newcastle’s
team. Lascelles was crucial in everything positive about Newcastle last season
and they will desperate to keep him at the club with bigger clubs potentially
circling. However, Newcastle aren’t just built on an excellent defence because they
have an abundance of attacking flare including Matt Ritchie and Ayoze Perez.
The latter was magnificent during the second half of the season in particular
scoring goals and creating chances which fired Newcastle into the top 10.
However, Matt Ritchie also played an integral role with crucial goals and lots
of positive energy and creativity. Benitez will hope to keep him with interest
from other clubs being made clear so far this summer. Furthermore, Newcastle’s
midfield is also showing positive signs of an excellent partnership with the
likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame playing vital box to box roles which
help Newcastle attack and defend. Benitez has unlocked Jonjo Shelvey giving him
creative license with his passing range only getting better. Shelvey has grown
as a footballer and Benitez has really begun to get the best out of him.
However, Shelvey still has a petulant side that needs addressing with needless
challenges and poor lapses in his attitude tarnishing his solid midfield attributes.
Shelvey needs to address this side of the game because if he can curb these
petulant ideals, he could become a very excellent midfielder. Benitez has lots
of confidence in his squad and he knows they can give him more but the role Mike
Ashley has taken at the club, leaves Benitez in difficult situations in terms
of a sale of the club and his chances of signing who he wants in transfer
windows. Benitez has been left frustrated on several occasions but despite
this, his commitment to Newcastle is evident and he should be truly respected
for the job done in the North East. The Newcastle fans will be desperate to
keep him because he has had lots of success and clubs are certain to be
interested in him. Benitez does have a difficult relationship with Mike Ashley
due to his decision to sale Newcastle and not give him the transfer spending he
wants. The Newcastle fans do have sympathy with Benitez and they must keep him
at the club because if he leaves, it could be a difficult season for Newcastle.
As previously
discussed, the transfer window is a difficult time for Benitez and his coaching
team with Mike Ashley not giving him a lot of money to spend and Benitez has
reiterated before he needs to wheel and deal to get what he wants at Newcastle.
Benitez has been active in this transfer window so far by signing Swansea midfielder
Ki and defender Fabian Schar. Ki will add some creativity to Newcastle’s midfielder
while Schar will add a strong steel to Newcastle’s defence and give Benitez plenty
of options to change his defence if he needs too. Furthermore, Benitez has
brought continuity during this transfer window by re-signing Martin Dubravka
and Kenedy. Both players made a vital difference during the second half of the
season helping Newcastle secure top 10 status. Kenedy was excellent creatively
and he will add pace and power to Newcastle’s left-hand side. However, Benitez
will certainly want more creativity in his squad with Newcastle lacking a potent
goal threat in many games during the previous season. A creative midfielder and
new striker will be high on his shopping list. Goals were Newcastle’s biggest
issue with strikers Dwight Gayle, Joselu not reaching double figures while Perez
excelled, Newcastle desperately need more up top and Benitez will certainly have
his targets. However, another issue that needs addressing is Newcastle’s fringe
players. Benitez will be desperate to get players such as Henri Saivet, Rolando
Aarons and Aleksandar Mitrovic to get him vital funds to improve his squad. The
latter will attractive interest after his excellent campaign at Fulham and it
probably would be best for Mitrovic to leave the club with his relationship
with Benitez being very strained. A good deal for him will allow Newcastle to strengthen
their strike force. Benitez will want players willing to work hard, fit his
philosophy and fight for the club and the Newcastle fans will back him all the
way.
This could
another good season for Newcastle with many not expecting to achieve too much.
Newcastle have gone under the radar with expectations not very high meaning they
could be the potential surprise package this season. If Benitez can get the players
he wants and continue the good form the team has showed this could be an
exciting season in the North East. Newcastle have a magnificent fanbase and
they will be desperate for the glory days to return and they will believe
Benitez is the man to do that however, with negative owner Mike Ashley it could
just be another season for comfortable safety and a mid-table finish. Newcastle
has so much potential and they will hope to do better with a more ambitious
voice leading the club at the top. Benitez will want to do better this season but realistically
if they secure their Premier League status for a 3rd straight season
that will be deemed successful and anything above that will be nothing short
off brilliant.
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