Newcastle United fans thought all their Christmases had come at once when the Suadi-led consortium completed its £305 million takeover and made the Nort East club the richest on the planet. Dreams of turning the Magpies into a fantasy football team, signing players from all corners of the earth, and climbing up their Premier League look extremely unlikely; the Geordies look destined for relegation.
Newcastle is in a whole world of pain right now. The team goes into Christmas second from bottom of the Premier League with a single victory and seven draws from the first 18 games of the season. They would be languishing at the foot of the table was it not for goal difference; they have a -23 goal difference with Norwich City on -26.
After beating fellow relegation candidates Burnley 1-0 at St. James’ Park on December 4, Newcastle has fallen to a 4-0 loss at Leicester City, a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool, and was humbled 4-0 at home against Manchester City last time out. It is easy to see why they are odds-on to be relegated to the Championship at Canada Sports Betting; they look doomed.
A Squad of Mostly Championship Quality Players
The biggest problem Newcastle boss Eddie Howe faces is getting results with a squad that is essentially Championship quality. With the exception of injury-prone striker Callum Wilson and exciting French forward Allan Saint-Maximin, the Magpies squad is devoid of talent. It is simply not good enough to survive in the Premier League. The team’s results confirm this.
A lack of investment from the previous owner, Mike Ashley, will cost Newcastle dearly. As will wasting the money Ashley did release, signing players such as Joelinton for a club-record £40 million, only for him to score a mere seven goals in 86 appearances; the Brazilian has one goal in 18 games this season.
Furthermore, the current squad of players go into training and games each week knowing they are surplus to requirements. They are aware the new owners have ambitious plans for the club and that they want to bring in several fresh faces. It seems from the results and lack of solid performances that the players at risk of being brushed aside have given up the fight.
Then you have the situation with the new manager Eddie Howe. Howe worked wonders with Bournemouth and saw the club overperform for several years before slumping back into the Championship. Howe and his players know he was not the first choice to replace the outgoing Steve Bruce because a handful of other names turned down the chance to join Newcastle. Howe and his squad know he is only there to try and steady the ship until the new regime can bring in a manager they really want. Newcastle has won once, drawn twice, and lost four of the seven games Howe has been in charge.
Who Wants to Go to Newcastle?
The January transfer window is rapidly approaching, and everyone in the football world knows Newcastle is desperate to strengthen its squad. Being able to spend any amount of money on transfer fees and wages is obviously a good position to be in, but who wants to join Newcastle?
The North East is not exactly the nicest place in the world to live, especially when you compare it to London, which is where most foreign talents want to ply their trade. In addition, the club looks certain for relegation to the Championship, and there are very few players who would be willing to sign up for a battle against the drop, a battle that on current form looks impossible to win.
Newcastle fans, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, were suggesting their beloved club would be able to sign the likes of Kylian Mbappe and were linked with the likes of Toni Kroos. There is zero chance of that happening. Rival clubs will charge Newcastle over the odds for players, while the players will demand inflated wages, and that is if they are prepared to head to the North East.
Howe must believe he can save Newcastle from the drop, or he would not have taken the job. However, in reality, he and the board need to start planning for life in the Championship and starting the project afresh next season.
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