Newcastle United’s return to the Premier League
Newcastle United have returned to the Premier League after spending a season in the Championship, following their demotion to the second tier of English football in 2009.
One of the biggest clubs in the country, based on their fan following, Newcastle’s relegation came as a shock to the fans as most of them believed the club was too big to go down.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has guided the side to a victory in the Championship and with it a promotion; now he has the task of maintaining a place in one of the most difficult leagues in the world.
The Newcastle coach is not unaware of the challenge he is facing but revealed that the club have some funds available for transfers, although he will have to very careful because they no longer have the financial muscle they once did.
One player who has cost the club nothing at all with his addition to the squad is the former Everton defender Dan Gosling who has arrived at the club on a free transfer.
The 20 year old has arrived at St James’ Park after contract negotiations with his former club Everton broke down and he was released. Signing a four year contract signalled intent to stay at the club for a long time and the youngster has been quick to explain just why he chose the Magpies, citing the fanatic fans and the size of the club as the major reasons behind his move.
Since Gosling is still injured, the Newcastle fans will have to wait a while as he recovers and gains back his fitness.
Meanwhile, 21 year old striker Andy Carroll has been given the honour of wearing the number 9 shirt which has previously belonged to club legends such as Alan Shearer, Jackie Milburn and Malcolm Macdonald.
The striker will be looking to replicate the form he showed in the Championship last year, where he scored 19 goals, playing a crucial role in taking the club back to the top flight of English football.
The Team Manager, Chris Hughton, has also urged the fans to remain realistic about the clubs chances in the upcoming Premier League season, reminding them that initially, at least, the goal will be to survive in the league and build on it from there.
Hughton also revealed that the club was planning on keeping most of the players from the team that won the Championship since a similar strategy had helped other recently promoted sides, such as Birmingham and Wolves.
Hughton will also be hoping another central defender, Steven Taylor, will be fit for the start of the season. Taylor has suffered from a string of shoulder injuries in the past and unfortunately for the Newcastle man, he injured it again in a pre-season game. Hughton, however, seems optimistic about the player’s chances of starting the season and will be hoping he has a fully fit squad to choose from, so that Newcastle are able to have a strong start, something essential to survive in the Premier League.
Tags: