‘Newcastle WON’T be going down this season’ – Five reasons why I’m sure we’ll beat the drop

After the huge win over Manchester United last weekend, there is finally a feel good factor on the pitch. Even though we are still just two points above the drop zone and in the thick of it still, the win on Sunday felt like more than just three points and we have the momentum to stay clear of trouble.

Here are five reasons why I believe we will beat the drop…

1.New signings adding much needed quality – and the best one’s still to come

Three players arrived in January and although they were all loans as Ashley scrimped again, they have already made an impact.

Kenedy has slotted in on the wing nicely and looks a cut above our other options there and we now know all about the dream debut for Dubravka. It’s early days for him, but he showed confidence (which is crucial) and several positive attributes as a new goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Slimani has yet to feature but looks set to be involved against Bournemouth. After already playing in the Premier League with Leicester, he will require less time to settle and add a much needed cutting edge and quality to our play up top. He’s a £29m striker we’ve got until the end of the season, so I’m fully expecting him to give us a real boost in attacking areas if he stays fit.

Better later than never but the impact they have already makes it all the more frustrating NUFC didn’t do business earlier in the January window.

 

2. This bunch have the character and fight required

What we lack in quality we certainly make up for with attitude, work rate and commitment. 4 points against Man Utd and Palace is an excellent return and conceding just once over the last two games was helped by players throwing their bodies on the line and being determined to get something from the game.

The attitude of the likes of Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie and even Diame has optimised the good character of the squad. Despite limitations on the ball, you can’t question their application. This squad is a far cry of the spineless squad of internationals that was relegated last time and the new signing seem to be on board with this too. Slimani is certainly a player who’ll put himself about.

3. Benitez’s experience will give us the edge

Jamie Carragher mentioned this on Monday Night Football that he thinks Newcastle will stay up simply as they have Benitez. His argument was that he was a big game manager with world class pedigree and is a coach who is capable of pulling off a result in a one off game that could make all the difference. The win last weekend was a case in point on this; you would back Rafa to get us the points to get us over the line.

Even in the short time-frame he was in charge of in 2016, he pulled off some great wins which nearly stopped the rot and kept us up.  With some relegation six pointers coming up at SJP, expect Rafa to help us get the 10 points we likely need.

When the going gets tough, I feel we couldn’t be in safer hands – and that will rub off on the players and give them real confidence and a sense of calm.

4. Players coming to form at the right time

As mentioned, we have some new signings who have hit the ground running and with Slimani to also come into the side. But we have some of the old guard who are peaking at just the right time. The stats of our win rate with Dummett/Lascelles vs. when they are absent is quite staggering really and they have certainly played their part recently.

Diame looks a new player after an incredible rise to form over the past 6 weeks and Shelvey arguably put his best display in a Newcastle shirt in last time out. Lejeune is finally fit and looks a class act alongside Lascelles at the heart of our defence and hopefully Dubravka can continue his debut and be the calming keeper we need. A special mention must go to Matt Ritchie as well, after being dropped and losing form, bounced back to win us the game and hopefully can get a few more crucial goals come the end of May.

5. Relegation rivals struggling

It is worth remembering that we just need to come 17th or higher this season and above just three teams. We have some good momentum at the moment and some of the other sides have plenty of reason to worry too.

Stoke are struggling and will find it hard to bounce back from that crucial penalty miss against Brighton. Despite winning last weekend, Huddersfield have dropped like a stone and will be in the thick of it, and despite signings West Brom are now 8 points adrift. The law of averages will dictate that Swansea’s outstanding form will also have to come to a halt at some stage. Southampton are another side who lack confidence and any sort of fight under Pellergrino, so I’d be quite worried if I was a Saints fan right now

There’s still 33 points to be won and several season defining games left to play in the run in, but things are looking up for NUFC.

How do you think we’ll fare between now and the end of the season and which three sides are you backing to do down?

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

89 thoughts on “‘Newcastle WON’T be going down this season’ – Five reasons why I’m sure we’ll beat the drop

  1. I know it is away in the Champions League but if I was a Man U fan in Seville tonight I would want my money back.

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  2. Remember Facundo Fereryre? Scored the winner against Roma tonight. Has 3 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League this season. Has about 30 goals in 60 Shaktar appearances.

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  3. ERIC Big money doesn’t say you get a great player,as Rafa said they want 20 mil for a player that can kick a ball forward these days

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  4. Icedog: what would Gary Neville say though? Was this a Mourinho tactical masterclass when it all really boiled down to a De Gea masterclass? I suppose (most) people only remember the result. I remember their treble season and Bayern absolutely battered them for 90 minutes. They won by sheer luck and that is all people remember, best team ever etc.

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  5. The Chronic had an article on Sunderland finances. They are pretty much screwed. Ellis Short wants 50 million for them and they owe about that much to the bank. Their wage bill is 36 million and even with parachute payments they won’t be able to cover that in the 3rd division. The season ticket holders don’t even go now so can you really expect them to ante up for next year?

    Pay attention Mr. Ashley.

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  6. If the Mackems go down, Short will cut his losses and cut them loose. That means administration because the bank debt and the wages make Sunderland AFC unviable in the 3rd tier. Ellis has to take the financial hit but he can get a tax loss so it will be to his benefit to do so rather than be on the hook for additional funds. They are an empty shell. The players won’t give up their lucrative contracts and who wants Jack Rodwell on 75k a week? His money alone is 4 million a year !!!!!!

    They have a chance if they stay up, but if they go down I just can’t see them surviving.

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  7. They are too big to disappear into the ether. Be a real shame if they do. Part of me wants to see them.drop, for the ultimate dose of humility and their final acceptance that are 2nd rate compared to Toon, however, we need a local rivalry and I dont think anybody wants to see a traditional club go down the pan completely.

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  8. I don’t really have any enmity towards them. It shows just how fine the lines are between success and failure in football. Sometimes the fans stick around and then the big clubs benefit the smaller ones, like away days in cups. But for clubs to come back they have to be well run, or clubs that write off their debt and start again. But big clubs that dominated the old first division have been down and up. Jokingly I’d like to see West Ham down there as well.

    BTW does Delli Alli remind anyone else as another dennis wise.

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