Competition for places ‘is great for club’
SEAN Longstaff has spoken of the willingness for improvement at Newcastle United as the club move forward into what many see as an exciting new era.
The midfielder signed a new three-year contract earlier this summer and like every player in every department the competition will be fierce to earn a place in the starting line-up.
That will start between the posts, with incoming stopper Nick Pope set to push Martin Dubravka all the way next season and will end in the striker department with Callum Wilson signing off for the summer knowing a top notch striker could also be recruited.
However, that competition for places is something that Newcastle’s coaching staff want to instil around the new look training ground from next season.
Newcastle have already upgraded in the left-back area with Matt Targett signed on a permanent basis from Aston Villa for £15million.
Centre-back and midfield is also an area Eddie Howe is taking a long hard look at this summer. But after signing his new deal, Longstaff is up for the fight.
Longstaff said: “Fans, ownership - we all want that. We want to be pushing up the table. The people they are getting in are the right people in the right places, and that’s a recipe for success. For the club it is great.
“As a fan you want them to go to the very top. In a few years we are going to be seeing some massive games and the fans deserve it.”
Newcastle’s target next season is the top 10 and possibly a long cup run in the domestic competitions if the draw is kind.
However, it will be par for the course that in each window that goes by, United will be looking for that gradual improvement to take them back to what fans will be the top four.