The year 2021 has been filled with drama, ups and downs, but most importantly it gave Newcastle United fans a reason to hope once again.
After the club’s takeover finally went through, the Mike Ashley era was officially over and the Magpies were able to move forward with ambition, knowing that new chapters of success were going to be written.
Following a topsy-turvy 2021, here are Newcastle’s top targets for 2022.
Premier League survival
For all of the buzz surrounding the appointment of Eddie Howe, the former Bournemouth manager has won one of his opening seven matches, which may have brought our first elusive first three points of the season, but the Toon Army still went into Christmas in the relegation zone.
With 10 points from 18 games, Newcastle head into the second half of the campaign needing to average a win practically every other match.
Having the world’s richest owners means we would probably bounce straight back up from the Championship, if we did get relegated, but that is unthinkable.
In order for PIF to move onto the next chapter of Newcastle’s roadmap to challenging for the biggest trophies in club football, ensuring our top-flight status is crucial to preventing any delay in embarking on the next phase of the project.
Overhauling the squad
The fact that the Newcastle side is still brimming with players who clinched promotion from the Championship in 2017 shows how little thought there was from Ashley to improve the squad.
Howe and the club’s new owners are going to have to gradually improve the squad. It’s impossible to bring 20 players in and get 20 players out in the same transfer window.
But some cut throat decisions will no doubt have to be made this summer and a number of players will know that they might not have a future at the club beyond this season.
However, Newcastle’s overhaul will only be able to take proper shape if we have beaten the drop, otherwise, ambitious plans to sign world class names will have to be put on hold for another year.
Statement signings
Amanda Staveley and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi will no doubt have discussed some blockbuster dream signings who they would love to unveil to make a statement to the footballing world.
Manchester City announced Robinho, Paris Saint Germain signed a wealth of stars and Roman Abramovich splashed the cash on several established world stars.
If Newcastle manager to secure our Premier League status, the focus will switch to embarking on the next phase of the project which will no doubt be to climb the table.
Since the takeover, every world class player in world football has been linked with a move to Tyneside, but although the onus will be improving the overall squad, a big European name could be signed to announce the club’s new era.
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