With the season approaching the New Year, it’s time to look back on how Newcastle United are faring in comparison to their last Championship stint.
It’s been a successful season so far for Newcastle United, that much is obvious. Their dominance atop the Championship table bodes well for the future, and with Rafa Benitez at the helm it seems as if anything is possible for the Geordies at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
The interesting thing that pops out straight away when comparing this campaign to their last in the Championship is that they are on the same amount of points. Much like in the 2009/10 season, they lie on 49 points after just 22 games.
Some people were assuming they wouldn’t be as dominant this year, and one of the big reasons for that is probably because Brighton are just one point behind the Magpies. By contrast, West Brom found themselves 10 points behind Newcastle at this stage of the season.
Then when you take a look into the talent pool, you had the likes of Harewood and Ameobi leading the line during the Magpies’ 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at this stage in 2009, meanwhile the ever-growing Gayle and Diame present a more youthful and modern way of thinking from the club in the present day. In terms of goal difference, the crop of 2016 are actually faring better with +28 in comparison to +25 seven years ago.
This may not be considered a good omen by some, especially considering the level of talent that lies below them in the top six. However, Benitez and company should take confidence from the fact that they are faring just as well as a side who were considered to be one of the most dominant in the history of the Championship.
General view outside St James’ Park
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