Newcastle United Takeover Specials: the RequestABets

Steve Bruce was an unpopular choice but ultimately a stable choice for Newcastle under the ownership of Mike Ashley, as the former Aston Villa manager has ultimately kept Newcastle in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, but, he will know himself that results must improve if he is to keep his role at his boyhood club past this coming Christmas.

Newcastle are on three points from seven matches, having earned three draws against Southampton, Watford and Leeds United, but, following a new takeover, the club can look at the future with optimism, as each player will ultimately be playing for their place in a side that will be looking to significantly progress up the league table in the forthcoming years. This could give a positive boost of momentum in the Magpies upcoming fixtures.

As mentioned above, Newcastle are in the relegation zone at present and will be hoping to get out of it, having failed to win any of their first even league matches, but, the Magpies will know that if their poor form still remains an issue coming into the January transfer window, then it’ll become very difficult for them to strengthen their squad with the correct players to climb out of relegation zone to safety.

If the Toon Army were to go back into the Championship, then they will more than back themselves to come back up with the calibre of players that they have on their books, as well as the fact that they have won the Championship twice in the 2009/10 season, as well as the 2016/17 campaign with ease under the likes of Chris Hughton and Raphael Benitez.

Newcastle will be hoping to win the Premier League as soon as possible under their new owners, but, expectations have to be realistic when talking about the time frame that it will take. In comparison, it took Manchester City just three years to win the league under Sheik Mansour’s ownership so perhaps comparisons can be made towards this, especially if a manager such as Antonio Conte who has a track record of winning the league in quick time, doing so in his first season’s at both Juventus and Chelsea and managing to do so in his second campaign as manager of Inter Milan last season.

As mentioned above, the recent takeover could inspire the Toon Army to positive results in the short term, due to the positive atmosphere that will be created by the fans, as well as the players’ mentality on the pitch, as they will know that they are playing for a club which could potentially become one of the best in the division in the forthcoming seasons.

The magpies have Tottenham at home at St James’ Park, as well as Crystal Palace away which will be tough matches, but, both winnable, especially when considering that Spurs have lost three of their last four matches in the league, conceding three against Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal before earning a narrow win against Aston Villa, whilst Patrick Vieria’s team haven’t won any of their last three fixtures, losing to Liverpool, before drawing with both Brighton and Leicester City.

Bruce’s chances of keeping his job at Newcastle are ultimately down to the new ownership, but, it would be harsh to sack a manager who has kept the Toon Army in the league in the last two season’s on limited resources.

The former Manchester United defender will be desperate to prove himself once again and guide the Magpies further up the league table, especially with the added investment that the Toon Army are set to have in January. If Bruce can guide the Magpies further up the league table, whilst making the most of the January transfer window, then there is every chance that he could survive as Newcastle manager for another season.

Once again, this can be compared to City, as the Citizens won the FA Cup and finished in the top four in 2010/11, just two years after their takeover under current Italy boss Roberto Mancini, showing that with the correct strategies and transfers made, this is achievement is possible.

For this to happen, they will likely have to appoint a manager that is capable of quick success, like Conte, as mentioned above and they will have to be astute with their future signings, strengthening in key areas first, such as their defence which has leaked 16 goals in seven matches this season, the joint-worst record in the division.