For most of the year 2021, has been incredibly difficult for Newcastle United.
We’ve spent the entire year flirting with relegation, while until October there was a battle to get the Saudi-backed takeover over the line.
But as we look towards a brighter future, what were the lowest moments of the past 12 months?
9. Jeff Hendrick up front
While a pre-season friendly moment shouldn’t matter too much, this just summed up the final stages of the Mike Ashley era.
Unpopular midfielder Jeff Hendrick came off the bench in Newcastle’s friendly with Rotherham, and was deployed as a striker by Steve Bruce.
Unsurprisingly, fans were less than impressed.
8. Unai Emery rejects Newcastle
This has probably been the biggest error made by Newcastle’s new owners.
While their arrival has been excellent, they are not without mistakes.
It looked like Unai Emery was going to be the man to replace Steve Bruce. The media were reporting as if it was basically a done deal.
Then the deal collapsed, and PIF looked rather foolish.
7. The aftermath of the summer transfer window
The summer transfer window was appalling for Newcastle. The only signing they made was Joe Willock.
But Newcastle’s hierarchy didn’t remain silent. After the window closed, they released a nameless statement defending their actions – or lack of action.
It was a warning to Steve Bruce, who had been untouchable up until that point in the eyes of the ownership.
6. Steve Bruce vs Matt Ritchie
Soap opera bust ups were a common theme at Newcastle United in 2021.
There were reportedly multiple training ground clashes, but the Ritchie vs Bruce scuffle was arguably the most shocking.
It came after a 1-1 draw with Wolves, where Bruce blamed multiple players in the aftermath. Ritchie took issue with this, and put Newcastle in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
5. Losing to Sheffield United
Sheffield United were bottom of the league in January 2021. They hadn’t won a single game all season.
Then Bruce’s Newcastle rock up with a back five and two ‘false 10s’ to hand the Blades their first three points of the campaign.
It was an embarrassing performance, and highlighted the negativity instilled by Bruce.
4. Referee controversy
Not many decisions have gone Newcastle’s way this season. So much so that the club have launched a complaint towards the Premier League.
Decisions against Leicester, Liverpool and Manchester City have irked Eddie Howe and the Toon Army, and rightly so.
While Newcastle aren’t at fault, they have still been low moments for the club in 2021.
3. Transfer deadline day
They had Joe Willock on board, but Newcastle still needed reinforcements. There was talk of a deal for Hamza Choudhury, while other players were linked.
But that deal collapsed, and the window slammed shut with Newcastle failing to do the business required. It was the final window the Ashley era, and it summed up why fans were so desperate for a takeover. The previous owner had simply downed tools.
2. Losing 3-0 to Brighton
On March 20th, Newcastle went to the Amex on a horrendous run of form and without two of their best players.
The Magpies left Brighton with zero points, suffering a humiliating 3-0 defeat. It looked like it had to be the end for Bruce – even the players thought as much. But incredibly he stayed, making an awful result even more crushing.
1. Arbitration delayed
While last season wasn’t great, there was hope that a takeover could happen in the summer.
Arbitration was scheduled to take place in July, which could have unlocked the door for the deal to go through.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, both parties agreed to delay the hearing on July 19th due to ‘issues with the disclosure of evidence’.
This was a low moment that suggested the takeover wouldn’t happen until 2022 – if at all.
Fortunately, things changed on October 7th…
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