Best player, best signing, best match...
Mick Quinn gives his verdict on 2018:
THE new year is fast approaching and what a 2018 it has been for Newcastle United.
I couldn’t help but look back on it fondly and remember the good times, and admittedly some frustrating factors.
Here’s my rundown of some of the highs and lows in another eventful year in the history of the club.
THE PLAYER OF 2018
It’s a toss up between Jamaal Lascelles and Martin Dubravka – Ki Sung-yueng has had a good season so far, but over the last year, it’s got to between those two.
But for me it’s Dubravka, I’m a big Lascelles fan – he’s a class act. I just think Dubravka from the first game he came in, against Manchester United, he looked like he had been in the team since the start of the 2017-18 season. His composure, his talking to the defenders, and to me he looked like a permanent fixture because he slotted in straight away.
His handling was assured, that bred confidence in his team mates – the way he collecting the ball.
I like the way he organises and communicates, he’s been a brilliant signing. He’s a brilliant reactionary shot-stopper, he’s like a comfort blanket in goal – you know what you’re going to get. He’s a leader too.
There’s that old saying about the spine of the team, Dubravka is in that, and if you’ve got that spine, you’ve got something decent to build on. He’s turned the team around with his presence, and class.
BEST SIGNING OF 2018 That has to be Dubravka again. For £4million or even less, I mean it’s superb. What do you usually get for that these days? Federico Fernandez was also a superb signing, he’s improved in each game – two fantastic signings.
You’ve got to praise the recruitment team who have dug those players out – unbelievable. £10m for the two of them? They’re probably worth a lot more now.
They’re bargains but again it’s testament to those who have found them because it’s easy to say ‘they’re bargains’ but go and find me one. Every club are looking for bargains like these two, and there are not many of them out there – you can count them on one hand, so we’re lucky we’ve got two of them.
You can quite easily pay £25m or £30m for a goalkeeper, who wouldn’t have had the class of Dubravka. They are very few and far between, that is why you have to praise the recruitment team – you have to do your homework, and if you do it right, and you’ve got the right people around you, these gems can be found.
THE BEST MATCH OF 2018 NEWCASTLE 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED 11/02/18
This was a superb game, it really was. They came into this game having won only three in 18 games and were in the relegation zone. This result was everything; it was against a very good side, and we came into the game without a home win in three months.
Everyone had written us off but Rafa got his man-management spot on – he got his players up for that game, he rallied around them, and got them going. The fans were also brilliant. It was a crucial result, we never looked back really, it helped us turn a corner, get us back on track and move forward. It was a
massive win. That is why it stands out for me, the confidence it gave the players and the fans, it picked them up and got their juices flowing. THE BIGGEST FRUSTRATIONS For me it’s the lack of investment. I’ve spoken about digging out the players like Dubravka, Fernandez and Ki but I just think what could be with a bit more investment – I don’t think we would have started so slowly this season.
But we’ve got to get on with it, we’ve made our bed and we have to lie in it for now.
Once the window is shut, what can you do? It is part of the frustration this season.
Elsewhere, I do think we can let the handbrake off a little more at home, and create a few more chances but again that only comes with confidence.
I’m hoping that the performances might improve too.
But the frustration is lack of investment, it’s about backing your manager. We’ve got a world class one here, and I don’t think Ashley has done that.
IMPROVEMENTS THIS SEASON
We need to see some improvement in our home form, and some of the performances but we look solid away from home, but I think it would be fantastic to create a few more chances at home.
CHRISTMAS WISH
I would love to see Rafa Benitez sign a new contract but that all depends on the investment that Ashley comes up with, or if the club gets sold.
Regarding the takeover, the right people are making the right noises that is interest – it could happen but as you know when you are dealing with this sort of money there needs to be a genuine buyer who is going to move on it.
Fingers crossed it does come off but we need to nail down Rafa, we cannot afford to let him go. I don’t think another manager could keep this squad competitive, winning football matches, with the investment he’s had.
Hopefully Rafa staying can be sorted out – and to every single on you, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.