Newcastle United: A Long, Arduous Season Unfolding for the Toiling Toons

Despite the season only being two games old some supporters are already nervously wondering how this season is going to pan out. Just four teams are yet to pick up a point from their first outings, among them Newcastle Utd.

Under new management in Steve Bruce but the same ownership in Mike Ashley, the Toon are on the back of successive defeats and potentially facing a long hard season.

After the loss of Rafa Benitez at the end of his contract, Ashley’s standing has fallen even further through the floor despite replacing him with Geordie Bruce. Benitez worked wonders keeping the club in the Premier League despite the lack of financial backing that Ashley is loath to produce, but happy to splash out on failing businesses.

Whilst an opening day defeat at home to Arsenal might not have raised too many eyebrows, a defeat away to new boys Norwich City might have made a few sit up and think there’s major work to be done for Bruce and his team and with a trip to Tottenham next on the agenda it doesn’t get any easier.

Bruce has however been able to add to his squad before the window closed but with much underinvestment over the past few years, any manager plays catch up against much of the other Premier League teams and Benitez’s best efforts returned the club to the top division one season after being relegated. To maintain their status for two years running was no mean feat, but this might be the year it all comes crashing down once again.

Ashley has twice tried to sell the club, but failed to agree on a price, it can only be felt the value he feels Newcastle are worth is nowhere near the level others think given the lack of investment in the team making the club a mid-table outfit.

Much will be expected this season from fit again midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and new signing Joelinton, the latter already having been criticised for lacklustre performances despite the fact new signings can take some time to adjust to the rigours of the Premier League. As it is with Andy Carroll injured, the burden will fall on him to get off the mark sooner rather than later.

Whilst defensively last season the Toon performed well and with Bruce a well renowned central defender himself, Newcastle will need to tighten up starting this weekend at Spurs, getting on a losing run can be very hard to break in this league and a return to the Championship will only lower the value of the club and this time around they might not be so fortunate to return so quickly.

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