The 2015/16 Premier League season is almost upon us and with Newcastle United kicking off their season on Sunday 9th August at home to Southampton, fans are optimistic at what the year ahead holds.
Arrivals have been plentiful and inspiring, with the well-scouted additions of PSV’s Georginio Wijnaldum along with RSC Anderlecht’s duo; Aleksandar Mitrović and Chancel Mbemba, totalling roughly a £35m transfer outlay. The obvious talents of the newest trio on Tyneside will undoubtedly impact the way Newcastle United play this season, but some of the current crop of players could spring a surprise under new boss Steve McClaren.
Newcastle United: Game changers for 2015/16
Massadio Haidara has had a hit and miss Newcastle United career to date; drifting in and out of the Starting XI since joining from AS Nancy in January 2013, never cementing a place in the first team for an extended period of time. It has been clear from the beginning of his Newcastle United journey that Haidara’s attacking skills were not fully exploited under the system of Pardew and Carver, who often opted for a flat back four, thwarting attacking wing play from the fullbacks. This ideology was epitomised as Paul Dummett regularly claimed the starting berth at left-back under Alan Pardew as the Newcastle-born Welshman was a more defensive full-back in comparison to his French teammate. This season however, could be the turning point for Massadio Haidara under the stewardship of Steve McClaren, who has made it clear in his pre-season team selection and tactics that attacking full-backs are a feature in his plans for Newcastle this year. Haidara fits the bill perfectly, but will have to shore up his defensive efforts to ensure he retains a starting place at left-back. If they become accustomed to McClaren’s system and keep his defensive discipline, the full-backs could potentially turn out to be game changers for United this year, adding an entirely new dimension to the play.
Serbian frontman Aleksandar Mitrović, the reported £13m addition from RSC Anderlecht, is one that understandably instils confidence into the Newcastle United faithful as one of the potential game changers. Lauded as the first sufficient replacement for former striker Demba Ba, Mitrović is a traditional centre forward, particularly powerful in the air, with his heading a key attribute to his play. Fans and pundits alike have compared United’s poor forward recruitment since Ba’s departure, as additions in the mould of Emmanuel Rivière have failed to materialise as born goalscorers. It can be fair to say that the goal scoring mantle has fallen greatly upon the head of the young Serbian ahead of the upcoming campaign, but his goals record and stature in Belgium serve him in good stead. An abrasive, brutal centre forward that isn’t afraid to bully the modern centre-half; Mitrović is the direct, dominant leader that a Newcastle attack has been missing. His style of play isn’t just all about brute force either. The 20-year-old, self-proclaimed Newcastle fan is very good technically and can hold the ball up in order to bring his teammates into play. While some fans are apprehensive about the signing of an unproven, often controversial striker, who will have difficulty learning a new language, none of the current crop of forward players on Tyneside have the natural instinct that Mitrović clearly possesses. It will be argued that Papiss Cissé should retain his place in the team but his indiscipline and inconsistency was a major issue last season, with United relying too heavily upon his goal scoring exploits. Cissé is a natural poacher and in the anticipated tactical system of a lone striker, he is not suited to that role in the same way that the taller, more imposing Mitrović is, proven by his inability to hold up play or contribute to build ups outside the penalty area last term. Hopefully the added competition will drive both players to improve further and fight for the illustrious starting position but with Mitrović expected to lead the line against Southampton, it is hoped the big money signing can have a positive impact on the way Newcastle play, as a match winner and game changer.
Rolando Aarons burst onto the Newcastle scene early last season, making his mark in his home debut against Crystal Palace as he scored and bagged an assist in a 3-3 draw. The homegrown talent of Jamaican origin then lit up The Etihad Stadium in October with a fine display, scoring another well-taken goal to help knock Manchester City out of the League Cup. However injuries blighted the youngster’s first team action in his breakthrough season and time on the pitch was limited. Pre-season has been encouraging for Aarons, who has been a mainstay in McClaren’s sides, scoring and assisting while bringing a new element of exciting wing play to the forefront of Newcastle’s attacking movement. Ever since the departure of the skilful and charismatic Laurent Robert, United haven’t identified an out-and-out winger that can pose a threat bombing down the touchline. Experiments with Damien Duff and Wayne Routledge failed to prove fruitful, and in recent times the pace of Gabriel Obertan and Remy Cabella has hindered their crossing ability, leading to the sporadic use of traditional wingers. In Aarons, Newcastle have a determined young professional, who is motivated to come back stronger after successive muscular injuries last season. He will face stiff competition from 2014/15’s starlet Ayoze Perez, and may not always feature in the Starting XI, but no doubt Aarons’ enthusiasm, direct running and whipped crosses will benefit the team in creating goalscoring opportunities.
The aforementioned trio are only a handful of the potential game changers in Newcastle’s squad. It’s naive to expect all of these talents to be on song simultaneously but it only takes an individual’s brilliance or a tactical masterclass to unlock a game and secure three points. It is an optimistic viewpoint and one that will only be shared by a select few Newcastle fans, however it is undoubtedly a possibility. Ideally these three talents will help contribute to developing a footballing philosophy on Tyneside and direct the team to the upper echelons of the Premier League.
