The feel good factor on Tyneside has miraculously lasted well into November.
Owner Mike Ashley promises of big spending in the summer were never taken seriously by the supporters, with the money made off the Andy Carroll transfer to Liverpool marginally invested back into the rebuilding of the squad. Add to the equation the fire sale which followed the loss of club captain Kevin Nolan, gifted left-back Jose Enrique, and crowd favorite Joey Barton, their roster was left decimated and in desperate need of able bodies just to keep the ship afloat and avoid another humiliating relegation battle.
What came in to replenish the ranks went largely unnoticed by anyone outside Tyneside, missing were the big marquee signings that could provide relief and bestow a sense of confidence amongst the loyal supporters. The biggest coup was the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille for a modest fee of just over four million pounds. Right from the start Cabaye became a leader on the pitch, pulling the strings from mid-field and providing the quality Newcastle have severely lacked for years, someone with the ability to distribute the ball properly.
Gabriel Obertan arrived from Manchester United, Sylvain Marveaux snubbed Liverpool to join the Magpies and the return of Hatem Ben Arfa after a horrific injury sustained early last season was an added bonus. The French mid-fielder recently signed a permanent deal after initially coming in on loan from Marseille. Hopefully he can rediscover some of that good form witnessed prior to suffering a double leg fracture courtesy of a reckless challenge by Nigel De Jong. Ben Arfa has only played in four games so far this season, slowly working towards regaining peak fitness he will be a major asset down the stretch.
Most important was the acquisition of Demba Ba. The Senegalese striker is the real deal and has done a fantastic job so far with eight goals in ten games, almost half of the team’s total tally. The cheaper option turned out to be the best for Newcastle, Ba showed his worth last term with West Ham United scoring seven in twelve games after coming in on loan from TSG Hoffenheim during the winter transfer window.
Prolific in the Bundesliga, Ba scored thirty-seven in just under one hundred matches for Hoffenheim. Pardew will sorely miss his services in the new year when the striker will be away competing in the African Cup of Nations. Another absentee during this time will be Chieck Tiote, one of the first names on the team sheet every week for his manager, the mid-fielder will be difficult to replace for the duration of the tournament.
Somehow Newcastle manages to push through all the in-house drama and skeptical critics, which has a lot to do with the unity amongst the players in the dressing room, fully committed to their manager’s system and style of play. From an organizational standpoint the club has been revamped completely, more focused defensively with a great structure that’s been almost impenetrable thus far, proving why the Magpies own the best defensive record in the Premiership, conceding only eight goals to date. It all starts from the back with Tim Krul, the goalkeeper has been a revelation this season taking over the starters spot from long time club veteran Steve Harper.
Not to give Krul all the credit, although the keeper does deserve much of the spotlight, the back four have been stellar in front of their Dutch number one. Captain Fabricio Coloccini leading the way complimented by workhorse Jonas Gutierrez and free-kick specialist Ryan Taylor, all three in top form having developed a strong partnership. Newcastle’s most loyal son Steven Taylor endured many low moments in the black and white through the years, defensive shortcomings became a trend, but what was a position of weakness has now become a weapon with Taylor playing a huge role in the revival.
It was inevitable though that for all the positives happening on the field something would tarnish the feel good factor outside of football. An announcement came that the naming rights to St. James Park will go up for sale to generate revenue, but until an investor is found the 119 year old football stadium will be knows as the Sports Direct Arena, another slap in the face by the owner to the clubs loyal supporters.
The timing could not be worse, with Newcastle enjoying their best run in the Premiership in quite sometime. Using the excuse of the need to build the club into a global brand and bring in additional funding which is in dire need. Questions can be raised as to what happened to the transfer money generated from player sales because only a small portion was put back into the squad. Just when you think Mike Ashley has made strides to win back Geordie nation, this news did little to help his popularity. Football is big business nowadays but you should never bite the hand that feeds you.
More bad news could be on the horizon as the Magpies will face their biggest test to date this season. The next three weeks will see them face Manchester City and Manchester United away, before coming home to take on Chelsea. The daunting fixture list ahead will prove one of two things; Newcastle is capable of punching above their weight-class and will be part of the dogfight for European places, or this is the beginning of a slow decent back to reality and a mid-table finish at best.
Blessed with a relatively tame schedule to start the season it will be interesting to watch how Newcastle will react when faced with adversity. Poor results could potentially cause a ripple effect that could ruin all their hard work and early success. Whatever happens from now until May this group of players have put together a fantastic run and should be applauded for their efforts.
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