Despite their recent victory against Brighton, Newcastle’s defensive frailties mean they still face a daunting prospect if they make the Premier League.
Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow
In a season that from the outside has looked exemplary, Newcastle United have not been plain sailing for a while now. Though their record in the past 10 games has been largely positive, a few results stick out – namely their 1-0 loss against Blackburn Rovers and a 2-2 draw against Bristol City, both battling relegation.
If you look at Newcastle’s squad, it’s not tricky to see where any sort of imbalance may be. While the midfield and attack is full to the brim with proven Premier League talent, the defence leaves a lot to be desired.
Players such as Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle, regulars for Premier League outfits Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, have lit up the league. Their defence, on the other hand, is still made up largely of the players that took the club down in the first place, alongside Championship stalwarts like Grant Hanley.
The draw versus Bristol City showcased just how poor Newcastle’s defence still can be, with a wretched back-pass from Paul Dummett helping the Robins to a 2-0 lead. While it’s true that they have won far more than they have lost this season, it seems unlikely that the current Newcastle backline would be able to cope with the challenge of the Premier League, meaning that it will be another summer of recruitment for Rafael Benitez should the Magpies ascend to the very top.
Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles celebrates after the match
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