This season has turned out to be a positive one, but it’s also had its ups and downs.
We started on an up with getting 14 points from the first 9 games and being in 6th place.
Then in the next 9 games, which ended with a 1-0 defeat at the Emirates, we got just one single point – a 2-2 draw at West Brom after being 2-0 down – and we lost the other eight.
And since then we have pulled away from the relegation zone with four successive wins, and we are now on 41 points, and we were effectively safe with five games to play.
But we have lost winnable games in our last two games at Everton and at home to bottom club West Brom.
Let’s hope we are not going to end on a down – that wouldn’t be good.
DeAndre Yedlin has been interviewed, and he agrees we have had a positive season and that we should improve next season:
“If you look at where we are in the table then it has been a positive season. We have exceeded a lot of people’s expectations.”
“We can look back and think of the things we could have done better and had we done those we could have been even higher in the table.”
“It’s one of those things where we can look at it and be satisfied with what we have done, while also know that we could be even better if we improve in certain areas.”
“That is something for us to carry forward when we look to improve in the Premier League next season.”
Rafa could likely wait before signing an extension to his contract to see if Newcastle can bring in his top transfer targets this summer.
Lee Charnley and his team couldn’t do that last summer, and Rafa was left with getting players in further down his list and not as good.
At one point Rafa said he was signing players he could sign rather than players he wanted to sign and that was a reference to the lack of funds he had at his disposal.
He will want to ensure he has the playing staff next season so we can do much better in the Premier League and go all out to win a Cup.
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
Rotonda heights
Apr 30, 2018 at 1:47 PM
Comment #1lost count of the aimless crosses yedlin and others did v wba. yedlin is fast and a good athlete but is so frustrating in possession at times. despite what rafa has achieved we are so badly in need of at least 5 or 6 major upgrades all over the pitch. will rafa get those under ash?
DutchontheToon
Apr 30, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Comment #2On history alone, Rafa should not sign any contract until he has has 100% proof that either a takeover is going to happen or he has concrete evidence of monies being spent in the Summer window and the monies required for the academy. Ashley is devious and should not be trusted under any circumstances. He is better off gone with his Sports Direct signs.
lochinvar
Apr 30, 2018 at 1:56 PM
Comment #3Mick Mcarthy being touted as the Mackems new manager. Perhaps predictable if not original. Or Michael Appleton Puel’s assistant at Leicester. Or Paul Cook from Wigan.
It’s hardly important news but you should always keep an eye on your poorly neighbours. It’s a charitable thing to do.
OneAlanShearer
Apr 30, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Comment #4Of the 3 players we have loaned I would sign all 3 but Slimani for much less than 20 million given his age. However I think Dubravka might be the only one we get. Kenedy I’d be surprised if Chelsea sold him or we would pay enough to get him.
I’m still hoping Ashley sells.
nufc 11
May 2, 2018 at 12:12 AM
Comment #5Cfc wouldn’t sell nufc kenedy last summer and I’d doubt they will this summer either best we can hope for is another season loan which wouldn’t bother me best of both worlds. A fit Andy Carroll would be some signing. Tammy Abraham, King, Niaase or ings could be good alternatives. Darmian at RB and Tierney at LB