Three Things Newcastle United Fans Can Expect Next Season
Newcastle United are back in the Premier League. After being relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of 2015-16 season, the Magpies have achieved automatic promotion in their first attempt under manager Rafael Benitez and will be back in the top tier of English football in August.
In the past five seasons, only Burnley have managed to achieve automatic promotion in the immediate season after relegation – highlighting that Newcastle didn’t have it easy by any means. But Benitez has managed to steer them back to the Premier League for next season and will be hoping to build upon the current campaign.
While the Magpies have been away from the English top division for just one season, the fans will have to gear up for several changes upon their team’s return to the Premier League. Here are three things that the Newcastle supporters can expect in their first season back in the Premier League:
Away Fans By The Pitchside
In November last year, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore passed a rule that at least one block of away fans will have to be seated pitchside for all the games from the next season.
Apart from Manchester United, there will not be many Premier League sides who will be affected heavily. Newcastle will also have to make some amends at the St. James’ Park. Currently, the away fans are seated in the Level 7 at the grounds, but that is something that could change on their return to the Premier League.
Packed Christmas Schedule
Premier League is known for its rigorous festive period, but it could get even busier than it already is; something that Newcastle will have to deal with.
The Premier League has an understanding with the English FA to finish the competition early in the years when there are international tournaments scheduled so as to allow the England National Team some extra time for recovery and preparation. With the FIFA World Cup 2018 set to take place in Russia next year, clubs will find a Christmas period that is much busier than usual.
A draft schedule of the fixtures released earlier showed that there was a plan chalked out for 6 games in the space of 17 days, between 16 December 2017 to 1 January 2018. This is two more games than what was played this season and while the schedule isn’t set in stone yet, it is something that could prove to be a challenge for all the teams, including Newcastle.
Big Name Signings
This one is sure to please the fans as the return to the Premier League will help Newcastle United attract big name players once again ahead of the next season.
Names like Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea City, Dries Mertens of Napoli and Manchester United’s Luke Shaw have all been thrown around over the past month or so. Then there is the possibility of Andros Townsend also returning to the St. James’ Park – all this will certainly excite the fans.
Benitez will want to bring in a few marquee players over the summer window to show the intent of the club and the direction that they’re headed in. But will owner Mike Ashley back his man in the transfer market? That remains a million-dollar question.
