28 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwonEWCASTLE UnITED
HowdoNewcastleavoid‘doinga Sunderland’?The
question has so many caveats, moving parts and
other underlying issues that it’s almost impossible
to state definitively what the club must do.
However, recent events have felt like a tipping point
for the fanbase, and if the potential takeover fails to
materialise, we’re likely to experience levels of toxicity
not witnessed at St James’ Park since the early-90s
nadir of Gordon McKeag.
Aside from the obvious issues around the Magpies’
infrastructure and management, one of the most
pressing matters is getting the supporters back onside.PREMIER LEAGUE
2019-20
Yetwhilethisseemstomostpeoplelikea sensible
move,MikeAshleydoesn’tthinklikeeveryoneelse,
andthefansareseeminglyhislastconcern.
Appointing an exciting and dynamic manager to
replace Rafa Benitez would’ve been a good start.
Though the club denied it, Sam Allardyce’s name was
even mentioned before Steve Bruce got the gig, to
little Geordie joy. Investing in some quality players
with the club’s generated income would also help.
Depending how the summer sales go – and it didn’t
start well, with the usual queue of asset-strippers
warmly waved through the doors – Newcastle may
need to replace not just Salomon Rondon and Ayoze
Perez’s goals and work rate, but Isaac Hayden andMo Diame’s industry and defensive abilities, Matt
Ritchie’s graft and craft, and Joselu’s squad number.
This won’t be cheap, and a lack of investment could
lead to a relegation scrap before the clocks go back.
Building bridges with the fans and fixing the squad
are only two of the myriad problems facing Newcastle
United. The training facilities aren’t currently fit for
purpose, as proven by the ice-bath wheelie bins and
paddling pools used at the club’s Little Benton HQ. It’s
an utter embarrassment for a Premier League club,
and something Benitez had already pinpointed as
a priority while he was in charge. In the club’s infinite
wisdom, they decided this project wasn’t financially
justifiable and shelved plans for a training ground
refurbishment following their relegation back in 2016.
Unless something major changes in the summer, be
it the ownership of the club or Mike Ashley’s attitude
towards it, then the Magpies are nailed-on for a battle
against the drop in 2019-20. The thing that infuriates
fans the most is that they can all see what needs to
be done to give Newcastle a new lease of life. They
don’t demand a team that wins – just a club that tries.LAST SEASON
PREMIER LEAGUE 13th
FA CUP Fourth Round
LEAGUE CUP Second Round
TOP SCORER
Ayoze Perez (13)HOW DO THEY AVOID RELEGATIOn
In SUCH A TOXIC ATMOSPHERE?
TAYLOR PAYNE @TAYLORANDBESTY