Relegation from the Premier League was supposed to be catastrophic for Newcastle United, but the presence of Rafa Benitez made last summer arguably the most positive in recent memory at St James’ Park. One year on and, despite a few awkward moments in the Championship, the Magpies are back and ready to challenge in the top flight again.
Returning to the spotlight has been tough for Newcastle, with their lack of perceived transfer activity being scrutinised and rumours that Benitez was unhappy rife. The overwhelming excitement at the start of the new campaign isn’t the same as twelve months ago, but things are in place ready for a good season on Tyneside, with more time in the transfer window remaining.
Here are five things for Newcastle United to ensure a successful season.
1. Stick together
More often that not, a team’s attitude, rather than their quality, is the decisive factor in how they perform across a season. Occasionally, in the case of Burnley in 2009/10 and 2014/15 and Blackpool in 2010/11, David doesn’t overcome his Goliath and the smallest budget gets relegated. But as Bournemouth showed two years ago, and the Clarets did last term, team spirit can really help defy expectations.
In the two seasons Newcastle have been relegated, and all too often in recent years generally, there have been real issues with togetherness. When the going gets tough, which it undoubtedly will at St James’ Park next season, the whole club needs to pull together when before they may have been at their most separate. The entire club’s set up once pandered to an atmosphere which completely killed team spirit and leadership, with the manager having little say on transfers and players being encouraged to join with a view to using Newcastle as a stepping stone to bigger things. With that attitude came a lack of heart because every top player knew they would be okay regardless.
That is what Benitez has brought, more than just his immense reputation. No player can coast and no one can shirk responsibility; with everyone behind one another, the chances of a great campaign will grow.
2. Make their home a fortress
It sounds like such a cliché, but it couldn’t be more true. If there was one major criticism of Newcastle last season, it was their poor home form. Defeats to the likes of Huddersfield, Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday made coming to St James’ so much more frustrating for fans; many claimed the tactics weren’t right.
Benitez is a man who likes to build from the back; a sturdy defence matters most to him, and then he will think about winning games later. That will suit Newcastle a lot more this season, but when they were the targets to be shot at and the favourites for every game and expected to set the pace, their lack of creativity made it all too easy for the opposition to hit them on the counter attack. As a result, their away form was their saving grace at times.
Although more teams will come to attack, some will still look to sit in and frustrate. More crucially, though, there will be better quality teams to face on their travels and they may get caught out. A successful season, particularly at the bottom end, starts with good home form.
3. Beat the teams around them
Another major issue during Newcastle’s now infamous relegation campaign of 2015/16 was their inability to win the games they were expected to, which kind of follows on from point two. It was a running joke with serious undertones that the Magpies only showed up for the big games, particularly when the TV cameras were present. They took points off Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, beating Liverpool, Norwich City 6-2 and Tottenham away while being broadcasted live to the watching United Kingdom.
But that was rarely followed up when they needed to dig in, which their six-game losing streak against rivals, and now Championship side, Sunderland also demonstrated. Defeat to Bournemouth at home was the final straw for previous boss Steve McClaren, while losing at Norwich away and a draw at Aston Villa in the run-in condemned them to their fate.
There are at least eight teams who will be looking over their shoulders this season, possibly ten. A win against each of those could give Newcastle 30 points, three quarters of the supposed total of 40 that would be enough.
Forget the big boys, Newcastle’s season will be decided in the trenches, and with Huddersfield, West Ham, Swansea, Stoke and Brighton all before the end of September, they must hit the ground running.
4. Keep key players on the pitch
For too long, the injury curse plagued Newcastle, even to the point where fans would begin to question if it was to do with more than bad luck. The club’s medical department was heavily criticised, and after reported changes by Benitez last year, the fitness record improved; although Dwight Gayle, last season’s top scorer, continues to struggle with a hamstring problem.
Problems with injuries in the goalkeeping department marred the last relegation season, with Tim Krul and Rob Elliot suffering serious problems. Siem de Jong, too, spent much of his first two years at the club on the treatment table when he could have been a vital asset to the team.
Suspensions can also derail a side. Jonjo Shelvey was banned for eight consecutive games last season, and being the main creative force from deep, that had a real impact on how the team played. It may seem obvious, but the more time the best team is playing, the better chance of getting the necessary points.
5. Survive
A lot has been made of what Newcastle should be aiming for this season. Ideally for Benitez, relegation wouldn’t be a word that he’d have to contemplate, but the nature of coming up from the Championship and how tough the transfer market has been so far, suggests it is all but impossible to go an entire season in no danger at all.
Of course, aiming for survival alone could be disastrous. Having high hopes will increase the probability of a good season and a challenge for the top half would be a bonus, but only after relegation is a mathematical impossibility.
Many pundits believe Newcastle would not accept the same level of pressure as Brighton and Huddersfield, but there needs to be a sense of realism. Acknowledging and understanding what you’re fighting is half the battle, and the bottom line is Newcastle United cannot go down again this season, whatever else happens.
