With today’s holiday, let’s take a moment to think about what Newcastle United gives us to be thankful for.
First, I would like to wish everyone reading this a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your day is filled with laughter and happiness, surrounded by friends and family. You’re probably here because you are a Newcastle United supporter, so let’s dive into what we have to be thankful for as a member of Toon Army.
This list begins with our manager. Rafa Benitez is the best thing to happen to Newcastle United in years. The Spaniard puts Newcastle United in position to win most matches, despite not being the most talented side. He also makes Newcastle a destination players want to go to because of his track record as a top-flight manager. I know there’s always the fear he’s leaving, but let’s simply be thankful he’s managing our guys for as long as he’s here.
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Next, I would say we should be thankful for the passion of players like Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles. Other members of the team play hard and are proud to wear the Newcastle United crest, but Ritchie and Lascelles go above and beyond. Ritchie gives 110% effort every single match, no matter how the match is going. That should be a given for any athlete, but yet, it’s actually a rare quality. Lascelles, the beloved skipper for the Toon, had his face on a banner right next to his manager. He proved Rafa correct in naming such a young captain and has led the team, through injuries and a promotion battle.
Another thing we should be thankful for this year is Mike Ashley putting the club up for sale. While nothing is finalized and the transaction could drag on for months, the fact that Ashley, widely disliked across Toon Army, is not going to be the owner soon is a massive relief. The new owner may not be exactly what we’re dreaming of, but chances are, they’re better than Ashley.
Lastly, let’s be thankful we’re in the Premier League, unlike Sunderland. A year ago, we were battling through a season in the Championship, clinching promotion late. We had a lot of new faces and were playing a lot of clubs that we didn’t feel were on our level. As a fan, it wasn’t fun. As a writer, it also wasn’t fun. Now, we get to face off against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc., and it’s exciting. It’s also a good feeling to know your rivals are a league below you.
Personally, I’m thankful for each and every one of you and I’m looking forward to a fun rest of the season. As always, Howay the lads!