With Saturday’s result against the already-relegated QPR, Newcastle United have managed to drag themselves further into the relegation battle. It will certainly feel like a missed opportunity for the Geordies, with other results undoubtedly impacting to offer Newcastle a way out. Hull’s defeat away at Tottenham Hotspur would mean Newcastle could escape relegation with a win in London; even a draw would go a long way in securing a spot in next year’s Premier League.
Newcastle United Seeking End to Horrific Season
With yet another defeat on their hands, Newcastle United now face a very nervous final match day against former manager, Sam Allardyce. So, even if his team, West Ham United, have nothing to play for, Allardyce certainly does; after all, he was sacked as Newcastle manager halfway through the 2008-09 season, despite later stating that he did not get enough time, or the transfers he would have wanted. There is definitely a score to settle at St. James’ Park on the final day of the season.
Newcastle United were last relegated in 2009; there are a lot of similarities this season to that relegation season. Not a good sign. As in 2009, Newcastle United are composed of decent-to-mediocre English players, mixed with foreign players of great technical ability. However, maybe not the type of players you would want in a relegation battle; not the sorts of players that will stick their neck out or go that extra mile when needed, as it is now. While the more mediocre players that may have the right mentality seem to lack the footballing ability to turn the team’s fortune. The club really needs to get the mixture of these types of players right in the summer, regardless of the division they earn themselves a place in come next season.
The financial side of relegation would be catastrophic as well. After the previous relegation, cuts would have to be made. High-earning players would have to be moved on if possible, and backroom staff would have to be cut as well. Several families may actually lose their income, were Newcastle to go down. Whether this would have an impact on the players is debateable, at least when you consider the possibility that most of the players don’t have wage cut clauses in their contracts, as stated by newspapers earlier this month.
Regardless of what happens results-wise, Newcastle United is a club in identity crisis. If this season has shown anything, it is that most of the decisions made by club administration have been catastrophically wrong. One may say that the only good decision regarding the club in recent years was Alan Pardew’s decision to leave his position; other than that, Mike Ashley’s philosophy, model, regime – or whatever you would call it – has once again failed completely. The breaching point is nearing completion as the fans make their voices even clearer. Something must change at Newcastle; even though a change in ownership may be too much to ask for, it would also mean that new ownership would be ready to take over. As far as we know, that is not the case. What must change for next season is the way the administration treats the fans, the ambitions and player investments. With regards to these points, the club has already given indication that things will change.
Firstly, Newcastle need to secure their status as a Premier League club, with a result against West Ham United at the coming weekend. It is long overdue to make this horrific season for Toon Army history.
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