Premier League preview: Newcastle United
Following a quite ludicrous Premier League campaign, which resulted in their relegation, Newcastle United were ordered to undergo a one-season rehabilitation programme inside the Championship.
There were fears that the Magpies would relapse further in the second tier but, under the leadership of Chris Hughton, Newcastle managed to bounce back to where they belong with flying colours.
The north-east club racked up 102 points, blowing their nearest rivals out of the water and finally giving their long-suffering supporters something to cheer about. For a club of Newcastle’s stature, though, being relegated was undoubtedly humiliating. Now the hard work must begin once more.
In Hughton, they have a manager who has brought some much needed stability to St James’ Park. Only ever the assistant manager before last season, it was an unusually shrewd decision by owner Mike Ashley to appoint the 51-year-old on a permanent basis after he impressed while in temporary charge.
Lessons had clearly been learnt from Alan Shearer’s ill-fated eight-match spell in charge of the club. The Newcastle legend was hailed as the Magpies’ saviour by the supporters, but the former England striker led the team to just a single win during that time. Relegation to the second tier was always on the cards, and that proved the eventual outcome, much to the disgust of the fans.
But the subsequent season in the Championship has done wonders for the confidence of everyone at Newcastle. They’ve rediscovered their ability to win matches, the players have found their goalscoring touch and they’ve remembered how to defend as a unit.
Replicating last year’s form in the Premier League will, of course, be easier said than done; but Newcastle are undoubtedly a Premier League side. They just needed a reminder.
Strengthening the squad in preparation for the return to the big time was Hughton’s biggest challenge during pre-season. Attracting good players to a club like Newcastle isn’t usually the most difficult of tasks, but convincing new arrivals that they possess the credentials to keep their heads above water come May is now considerably tougher.
So far, Hughton has signed James Perch from Nottingham Forest, along with Everton’s Dan Gosling on a free transfer and experienced central-defender Sol Campbell - all decent players in their own right, although whether or not they will make a telling impact remains to be seen. However, it’s been widely reported that France international Hatem Ben Arfa will arrive on loan before the transfer window shuts, and he is a player who could really make the difference at this level.
The Newcastle manager has also shifted some of the deadwood including Fabrice Pancrate and Nicky Butt, in the hope that some of the younger players will come through and shine. In particular, 17-year-old Haris Vuckic, who has been generating a huge amount of excitement since arriving at the club in 2009.
Thanks to the players’ loyalty, Newcastle were able to climb out of the Championship at the first attempt. And those who stayed will be vitally important for the club this season.
Controversial midfielder Joey Barton is bidding to put the past firmly behind him, and if Newcastle get him playing to his full potential then they’ll have a very good player at their disposal. The same can be said for Kevin Nolan. Andy Carroll has been handed the coveted No.9 shirt for the forthcoming campaign, and certainly showed his class last season. Meanwhile, exciting wingers Jonas Gutierrez and Peter Lovenkrands also possess the ability to inspire the team.
Unlike in the 2008/09 season, Hughton will ensure that every one of his players will be disciplined and ready to work hard for the cause. Without a positive team spirit inside the dressing room, Newcastle will soon slip back into disarray.
But with the support of their huge fan base and a level-headed manager at the helm, the Magpies look set to avoid that this time. And everyone at St James’ Park will certainly take a boring season over a dramatic one if it means they survive the dreaded drop.
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