Why United should get more credit
PRAISE FOR WAGNER AND HUGHTON BUT RAFA DESERVES CREDIT TOO
NEWCASTLE United were tipped to stumble during last season’s run-in by some pundits this time last season, but ended their campaign covered in glory after winning the Sky Bet Championship title on a dramatic final day at St James’ Park.
It was around this time last year that the Magpies’ chances were being played down and the pundits were lining up to heap praise on Huddersfield Town’s David Wagner and Brighton’s Chris Hughton.
By the end, Newcastle finished ahead of both of their divisional rivals – and can do the same this time around.
With eight games left it has already been suggested that Hughton and Wagner have done great jobs for their respective sides after keeping the Seagulls and the Terriers on course for survival.
The congratulatory messages have already been pushed the way of Hughton after Brighton nudged their way to 34 points following the win against Arsenal.
If Huddersfield stay up with games to spare, Wagner will also have a queue of well-wishers after what will be deemed as a fantastic first year in the top flight.
Those looking from the outside won’t make such a big deal about things if the Magpies stay up and Rafa Benitez guides the black-andwhites to safety in the next few weeks because United are still deemed as one of the big spenders in football.
Although, that’s not quite the full story these days and, while competing with the big boys in the Premier League was expected under the previous regime in the Toon boardroom, it’s all about just getting by these days.
Those a little closer to the situation, though, will tell you a different story about what has happened at St James’ Park this season, because the expectations for Newcastle fans this year have never really moved away from simply remaining a Premier League team.
This is Mike Ashley’s Newcastle we’re talking about remember, and while Brighton and Huddersfield have shown vision and bravery in the transfer market this season, United fans received what can only be described as a warning from the Sports Direct magnate at the start of the campaign.
When asked how much money he would punt the way of Benitez, Ashley told Sky Sports: “Not enough – very simple. And Rafa knows that.
“It’s not a secret – every penny the club generates he can have but it won’t generate enough.
“I don’t want fans to watch this and think that’s great he’s getting £150million in the morning –he’s not.”
In that sense, Ashley has been as good as his word. Newcastle have spent around £45million on their return to the Premier League and tackled the season with a vastly inexperienced team when it comes to English top-flight experience.
Huddersfield spent £51million and Brighton splashed out closer to £65million with January signings arriving to boost the squad, as Newcastle got by with three loan deals.
Under Ashley, Newcastle will always be a club that play things cautiously, and with a long-winded decision making process for Benitez to deal with it’s no wonder that fans fear he could go if a bigger club comes along.
Despite the uncertain conditions behind the scenes at Newcastle, with takeover talk dominating the first half of the season, Benitez has United well-placed to survive with time to spare.
In fact, with eight games to go for United there’s every chance Benitez could haul Newcastle above both Brighton and Huddersfield again, despite spending less money.
If he does then his efforts for the season deserve some praise from the pundits who have continually knocked United at every opportunity this term.
There’s every chance Benitez could haul Newcastle above both Brighton and Huddersfield again, despite spending less money