Is Rafa set to get a transfer war chest..?
CHANGE IN FORTUNES FOR THREE TOP-FLIGHT CLUBS MUST ACT AS A WARNING, SAYS LEE RYDER
LET’S be honest, Newcastle United could have easily been going into this weekend’s clash with West Bromwich Albion with the stench of a relegation battle still lingering around St James’ Park.
The fact that they head into their encounter with the Baggies knowing that three more points will help solidify their top-10 slot is testament to the job that Rafa Benitez has done since the turn of the year.
Newcastle’s form has blown away those around them in recent times, and sides like Stoke City and Southampton have been shocked by the pace of the Magpies’ survival bid.
When the season comes to a close, regardless of where United finish in the table now, fans will look back on the five wins from eight games between February and mid-April which secured that top-flight place.
Of course, Benitez will aim to finish the season on a high with a few more good results, but it really is a case of job done for Newcastle now after surpassing that 40-point figure in excellent time.
United won’t be able to rest on their laurels though and a quick glance down the table will tell you exactly why.
All of the current bottom three had respectable campaigns last year with the Saints finishing eighth, West Brom netting a top-10 slot, and Stoke ending the season in 13th and some distance from the relegation zone.
The next chapter at St James’ has to be about building for next season and Mike Ashley would be naive to think that Benitez can wave his magic wand and deliver another season like this.
Benitez felt at the end of August last year that his squad needed some adjustments if they were to string together a sequence of good results at key times.
Experience was near the top of his list but most managers under Ashley have always found it difficult pushing the idea of bringing in older players because there is an obsession behind the scenes surrounding players that are supposedly past their best.
Alan Pardew found it difficult to bring in older players during his time in charge, while Steve McClaren tried to sign the likes of Richard Keogh, Michael Carrick and Joey Barton to no avail.
It’s the reason why funds were released quite easily to sign Jacob Murphy last summer for up to £12m but Benitez struggled to bring in veteran keepers such as Pepe Reina and Willy Caballero.
The club’s board have always been allured by the prospect of signing a player that could make them a hefty profit in the future.
But it doesn’t always work out that way because for every Yohan Cabaye or Mathieu Debuchy there is a Romain Amalfitano or a Fabio Zamblera.
So Newcastle don’t just need to have funds injected into Benitez’s transfer kitty this summer they need a much more refreshing outlook on recruitment.
This season has been about climbing away from relegation trouble, next season will be about establishing themselves in the eight, but Ben-