Newcastle Utd: The Calm Before The Storm?

High flying Newcastle Utd are on the verge of sealing promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking. Bereft of the services of the likes of Michael Owen, Obefemi Martins, Damien Duff and Sebastian Bassong who all jumped ship over the Summer Newcastle have, for once, lived up to their supporters high expectations this year.

Long standing goalkeeper Shay Given also opted to take the Man City shilling in the January transfer window but in the absence of these high profile players a number of Newcastle’s lesser lights have come of age in the Championship.

Shola Amoebi came through the ranks at a time when Alan Shearer was busy banging in goals to cement his status as Newcastle legend. Amoebi has always been regarded as having potential but at the age of 28 his failure to realize that potential has frustrated a succession of managers. Chris Hughton appears to have finally got the best out of the inconsistent Ameobi who has managed nine goals despite only starting 11 games in an injury hit campaign.

Another local lad, Andy Carroll, is the latest to follow in Shearer’s hallowed footsteps. A big, physical target man, the 21 year old is currently Newcastle’s leading goalscorer with 14 goals. Close behind him in the goalscoring stakes is Kevin Nolan, once regarded as a future England international the former Bolton Wanderers captain has had his most productive season to date with 13 goals.

Jonas Gutierrez who appeared to have all the necessary qualities to thrive in the premier league when he arrived in a big money move from Spanish football is another who has finally found his feet in the Championship. One of the few established internationals to remain with the club post relegation the winger has had a solid campaign. On the opposite flank, Wayne Routledge, has been tried, tested and ultimately found wanting by a series of Premiership clubs. Since his arrival at Newcastle in January though he has been consistently outstanding and looks set to be offered the opportunity to test himself against Premiership opposition once more next year.

The signing of former Rangers favourite Peter Lovenkrands did not exactly capture the imagination of Newcastle fans last season but he was one of few Newcastle players to emerge from the relegation campaign with any credit and Newcastle belatedly made the decision to sign him on a permanent basis in September. Injuries have seen Lovenkrands used as a makeshift striker for much of the season and the Danish international now has 14 goals to his name.

In defence Fabricio Collocini and Steven Taylor have been consistently outstanding and their partnership has been complimented by the performances of full backs Jose Enrique and on loan Danny Simpson, whose loan from Man Utd has now been made permanent.
Keeper Steve Harper has shown why he was regarded for so long as one of the best understudies in the game as he has stepped out from Shay Given’s shadow and revealed himself to be a first class goal keeper. With the current paucity of top quality English goalkeepers Harper can count himself extremely unlucky to have spent a world cup year in the relative obscurity of the Championship.

The question which owner Mike Ashley will be asking himself is ‘is this group of players good enough to compete in the Premier League?’ and the answer, unfortunately, is probably not. Expectations at Newcastle are far higher than any other promotion chasing clubs. Seventeenth spot would simply not be good enough for a set of supporter with whom the memory of sitting at the Premiership summit for the best part of a season under Kevin Keegan has yet to subside.
If Newcastle are to live up to the high standards that first Keegan and then Bobby Robson have set changes will be inevitable. What will determine whether Newcastle’s return to top tier football is a successful one will be the level of investment over the Summer. Mike Ashley is still unpopular with supporters who consider him responsible for the constructive dismissal of Kevin Keegan last season.

He may well be looking for Newcastle to secure Premiership status in order to recoup as much of his initial investment as possible in a sale. If he does wish to remain at the helm he will need to dip deep in his pocket and invest substantially over the Summer if fans are to forgive him.
Much will depend on whether Ashley, or Ashley’s successor, decide to reward Chris Hughton for his excellent work in getting Newcastle promoted or opts to replace him with a manager with more established Premiership credentials.

Alan Shearer had expected to be appointed permanently despite leading the team to relegation during a brief managerial stint last season. His hopes were dashed as Newcastle made a promising start under Hughton but the Geordie striker turned pundit still covets the Newcastle job more than any other in football and any publicity conscious new owner could do far worse than appoint the former fans favourite.

Newcastle’s season has by and large been bereft of the controversies that have marred recent campaigns, despite the off the field endeavours of striker Andy Carroll. If Newcastle have made headlines at all it has been for all the right reasons in a campaign which has seen them rise inexorably towards the championship summit. Newcastle supporters should savour these moments, calm may reign at St James’s Park at present but clouds are looming and the Geordie faithful can anticipate a pre season storm.