Newcastle United defied all odds with a young, inexperienced roster to conclude the 2017/18 campaign in tenth place.
Based on the club’s circumstances, the Magpies exceeded expectations this season with their top half finish. The 2017/18 Premier League campaign was comprised of highs and lows for Newcastle, but Rafa Benitez was able to steer the ship clear of relegation a month early.
If there is one word to summarize Newcastle’s performances this season it would be inconsistent. The Magpies were a difficult opponent for most clubs because they were unpredictable. Newcastle’s inconsistency can be noted in the number of winning and losing streaks they experienced.
Despite their inconsistent form this campaign, Newcastle’s roster gained valuable experience in a season that witnessed a highly competitive relegation battle. It was also a season of defensive stability making up ground for a struggling offensive unit.
Newcastle were able to defeat some elite English clubs, but they also dropped too many points to inferior opponents. With that being said, the Magpies have plenty of success to build on as well as several mistakes to learn from. Before turning our full attention to next season, let us take a look at five key observations that were made from this season.