For sometime now Newcastle United have always been fighting relegation every season. It was worse last season when Alan Pardew left and assistant John Carver was made interim manager. It got so bad that the north east club avoided relegation on
the last day of the season after a Jonas Gutierez goal saved their day against West Ham United. Owner Mike Ashley has spent in excess of £50 million recruiting the likes of Aleksander Mitrovic, Chance Mbemba, Georginio Wijnaldum in addition to the hiring of seasoned manager Steve Mclaren to mention but a few. While there has been a departure from the old norm of little transfer signings this season, there has been no departure from the bad result and form of the team from the previous season. Newcastle have instead played like a disjointed team group of mercenaries who are only interested in their pay cheque. As a result of this, the team has lost 7 games and drawn 4 while winning only two of which one was against a inconsistent EPL newcomers Norwich. In addition to that, Newcastle have the 3rd worst goal difference of -12 and lost the Tyne-Wear derby 3-0 against Sunderland. It is difficult to only fault the team selection of the manager as different tactical methods have been employed with little or no success. Striker Pappis Cisse has been dropped for Ayoze Perez, Cheik Tiote dropped for both Jack Colback and Varon Anita yet it has yielded little or no result. The integrity of Mclaren is at stake and is been questioned and it is becoming difficult to remember the successes he recorded with both Twente and Middlesbrough (Dutch League success and English League Cup). Mike Ashley deserves some positive results having splashed the cash this time around after last seasons heavy criticisms. Newcastle is not too big a club to go down as the went down in 2009 under club legend Alan Shearer. While the smaller clubs and likes of Leicester City, West Ham and Crystal Palace are in chase for a top four finish, Newcastle are embroiled in another relegation battle for the third successive season. These other mentioned clubs do not boast the size, commercial revenue, attendance and spending power of Newcastle, yet it is the North East club faltering. Mclaren should find the solution fast or risk the chop as the North East deserves a better EPL representation given that the other North East Club Sunderland is currently doing worse. Newcastle must collectively pull through together for a better result.
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