Newcastle United successfully negotiated their way out of the Championship at the first attempt under Rafael Benitez. The Magpies were relegated from the Premier League last season despite the best efforts of the Spaniard to salvage their campaign, dropping down into the second tier.
However, Benitez managed to rebuild his team on the fly over the summer with the additions of several experienced battlers in the Championship along with youngsters from the top tier. Newcastle did experience rocky times in the second half of the campaign, but their thumping win over Preston North End at St James’ Park guided them over the line.
Benitez’s experience in the Premier League will bring confidence to the club’s supporters that the Magpies can remain in the top flight and perhaps in the not-too-distant future even compete at the higher end of the table, reminiscent of the days of Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson.
Survival will be the name of the game next term, and although the Spaniard has done well to get Newcastle promoted, keeping them in the top division will be a challenge with the current squad. As a result they will be one of the leading candidates in the early football betting odds for drop back to the Championship, with punters able to get promotions such as a £200 welcome bonus with 10Bet to use on backing Benitez’s men to fall down into the second tier.
One of the key areas for Newcastle to improve will be their strikeforce. Dwight Gayle was a revelation in the first five months of the season, scoring 19 goals in his opening 20 matches.
However, since the turn of the year injuries and a lack of form took hold, resulting in the 26-year-old finding the net just three times. Gayle joined the club for £10m at the start of the term from Crystal Palace, where he failed to make the grade in the Premier League. Unless the forward improves dramatically and shines in the top flight – Newcastle will need a new man to lead their line.
Aleksandar Mitrovic was their big hope in the 2015-16 campaign following his £13m move from Anderlecht, but he has not been able to adjust to English football.
Ayoze Perez has been a decent second striker, although the Spaniard does not appear to have the clinical skills needed to spearhead the Magpies’ survival bid.
Benitez bolstered his side by signing Daryl Murphy before the Championship season. The 33-year-old has played a sparing role and despite boasting Premier League experience with Sunderland – the Magpies should be interested in moving him on. Unfortunately for the Magpies – Murphy’s case is the common theme throughout their squad, with major signings needed to come into their starting line-up. Defensively Jamaal Lascelles has the ability, but needs an experienced partner alongside him, with this year’s partners Grant Hanley, Chancel Mbemba and Ciaran Clark all struggling in their last outings in the top flight.
Outside of Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie in the midfield, there is also a dearth of options. Jack Colback and Vurnon Anita have had tough seasons in the Championship, while Mohamed Diame failed to carve out a role. Isaac Hayden could provide an answer in the middle of the park, although he has had fitness problems.
Gaining promotion was a huge success for Newcastle, but Benitez has a bigger challenge keeping his side in the Premier League. First attracting the right players and then being able to move his Championship battlers on to pastures new to lighten the load on the wage bill. This summer could be even more important for the Magpies than the last.