Rafa Benitez has overseen a revival at Newcastle United already this season, but what faces his side over the second half of the season?
Newcastle United had a terrible start to the season, failing to win any of their opening ten games in the Premier League.
Rafa Benitez found himself under pressure as the Magpies looked set to pay for yet another transfer window of under-investment.
In quite an astonishing turnaround, Benitez steered Newcastle to three wins out of three in November – winning the Premier League Manager of the Month award in the process – as the team moved away from relegation.
December was never going to be that kind, but another win and two draws see Newcastle reach Christmas in 15th place, five points above the drop zone.
That means Benitez’s first objective of establishing their position in this season’s Premier League has been accomplished; Newcastle are set up to compete and are comfortably in the survival mix.
The biggest test facing Benitez over the second half of the season, however, will certainly be the transfer window.
Newcastle’s lack of spending will be addressed once again when the window reopens and their season so far has been in preparation for recruitment.
Benitez knows this, speaking recently about the importance of moving quickly once the window opens (as reported by the Chronicle) to make the most of it.
If Newcastle do not see worthwhile additions that improve the side, you can bet the discontent and dissatisfaction will rightly return for the fans.
Should that happen, Benitez could once again be fighting the disharmony that threatened to swallow Newcastle after the disappointment of the summer…and that saw the club suffer its worst ever Premier League start.
Benitez and co. desperately need to avoid that happening again and managing the situation will be key to survival.
Unfortunately, we know full well that it is not entirely in his hands.
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