This season, Newcastle FC has already surprised its opponents in the Premier League, EFL Cup and the UEFA Champions League. It hasn’t been perfect by any means, but there have been consistent wins for the team, and some of them have been big. So what’s the reason behind this, and can the team sustain this momentum for the rest of the season?
A new player in the mix
One of the main talking points is the signing of German Nick Woltemade onto the team. What’s more, he has already proven himself a solid option, scoring three goals across four starts for the Magpies. The team paid an enormous £69 million for Woltemade, with some deriding the Newcastle management as ‘idiots’ because of this. However, the main culprit behind this derision is a Bayern Munich advisor. Bayern has made three attempts to purchase Woltemade and is rather jealous, it would seem, of missing out on claiming that player for themselves.
The German player arrived in Newcastle on the heels of the team losing Swedish striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool. Woltemade is not a like-for-like replacement by any means, but he offers an excellent ability to score and create link-up plays. The rest of the team will have to make changes to adapt to the new style of play that Woltemade brings in Isak’s absence. But the new player will also have to adapt and, no doubt, continue to improve within the team. With more shots on target, the German player makes a solid option for many of the Newcastle prop bets found on PremierBet. This will only serve to make the excitement of watching the Magpies play that much greater.
Getting the winning feeling
While Newcastle is never completely overlooked, there have been seasons where the team has not performed well. But this year it’s different. In fact, the team has had its best start in years with strong results and a solid position in the Champions League. The Magpies were unbeaten in their first four games of the Premier League, a season best since the 1995/96 season. They’ve also managed to take 10 out of the possible 12 points available so far. Now, it’s not always easy to see why this has occurred, but there is a notable change in the team’s performance this year.
Consistency has been maintained, a feature that has really helped to make a difference to both the team and the results. On top of that, there have been tactical and player improvements, including better on-field relationships between players and the smooth integration of new players. It’s not only Woldemade that has had this impact. Players like Tonali and Guimaraes, with increased shots on target and better accuracy all round, have also helped to bring in higher goal-scoring capabilities. Notable games recently include a record 4-0 win for the Magpies over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.
The rising challenges
It’s not all roses, though. The Magpies have been hit with some injuries, including those of defenders Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, as well as striker Yoane Wissa, who has yet to play for the team. There is also the spectre of anticipation, with fans now believing in the team more, and expecting better each match. Of course, if the team spirit is strong, then there should be no problems for the players to carry this hope, and not give in to the stress of the pressure from outside.
Newcastle has also been inconsistent in the past, though this appears to have changed this year. It should also be noted that off the field there have also been some issues, with the team losing their sporting director and having major changes in terms of management.
Despite some criticism, the team is in a good place right now. It is battling against some backlash after its recent acquisition by a Saudi-led consortium earlier this year. Newcastle is now considered one of the richest teams in the world, which is why it was able to pay the fee for Woldemade this season. In the past, the Magpies have also had to battle against relegation. But more recently the team has seen a turnaround in its fortunes. The grounds have been updated and modernised, with hydrotherapy features, bigger dressing rooms, a player lounge and more.
