Newcastle United: What is going on?

A big kick on the back side is what Newcastle United needs. That should bring some fight.

With only four points in the last four (and important) matches, the Magpies have not looked like convincing league leaders, as seen in the rest of the season. As Brighton celebrated their guaranteed promotion into Premier League football, Newcastle looked on in bewilderment. What is going on with Newcastle United?

In the most crucial part of the season, it is not time to play “silly buggers” and lose heart. Like a boxing match, the fight gets increasingly more heartfelt as the rounds pass. Whomever loses heart first, loses. Essentially that’s what happens. We are seeing this with Newcastle’s number one spot, which is now gone.

Since I mentioned boxing, wasn’t it fictional character Rocky Balboa who said “it ain’t about hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning’s done!”? Was it not? Newcastle have taken some good wallops over the season, and have seemed to continue their journey with conviction and passion. Why are we not seeing this towards the end of the season?

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – APRIL 14: Rafa Benitez reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Leeds United at St James’ Park on April 14, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

I think it all comes down to fatigue. I’m not making excuses, and I’m not trying to find a scapegoat. If you look at the lineups throughout the season, we have played many of the players consistently each match. Of course, we would see the occasional switch of strikers, and the eventual injury elsewhere in the squad, but ultimately it has been mostly the same players.

It’s complimenting to be picked most games, but it can wear one down physically, mentally, and even emotionally. I think this is what has happened. A big kick up the back side is what Newcastle needs. That should bring some fight. If not, we could be looking at a playoff fight, depending on how Reading and Huddersfield do in their next matches.

Rafa Benitez needs to figure out which drastic changes are needed to rile his team back to fighting status to see us to the Premier League. A daily motivational speech, followed by a daily rollicking, finalized with an effective and competitive training session as well as threats of being dropped, could really bring some passion into their game.

Next: Newcastle United’s mission is simple: Two wins, and you’re in

What do you think? Do you think the issue is with lineup, consistent usage of players, or just a lack of competition? Comment below.