Newcastle United: Remembering the Entertainers and the 1995 campaign
By Durim Halimi
The Entertainers were in top form during the 1995-96 Premier League campaign as Newcastle United almost won the league title.
Newcastle United were a side full of confidence and flare under manager Kevin Keegan. The side known as the Entertainers took England by storm with their style of play that prioritized offensive efficiency over defensive solidity.
The 1995-96 Premier League campaign will, for now, be remembered as the Magpies’ best season ever. The Entertainers concluded that campaign in second place just four points behind league winners, Manchester United.
For some supporters, the 1995 campaign is remembered as the time when Newcastle were close to winning a title. For others, it is remembered with frustration and disappointment. In January of 1996, the Magpies enjoyed a 12 point lead over the second-placed Red Devils.
However, Newcastle squandered that advantage and let the title fall into the hands of Manchester United at the end of the season. It was an unfortunate way to end the campaign, but the Magpies impressed Europe by finishing in second place just four seasons after earning promotion.
How Did They Do It?
The simple answer to this question is that Newcastle managed to win 24 matches and scored 66 goals in the process. The Magpies were a well-oiled machine as the club invested in Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Warren Barton and Shaka Hislop in the summer transfer window.
Newcastle’s executive leadership played their cards right as Les Ferdinand scored an impressive 25 goals that season. The emphasis on offensive urgency enabled the Magpies to walk over several opponents and they made it look easy.
The Magpies scored at least three goals on opponents 11 times and they finished the season with a +29 goal differential. The high flying Magpies of 1995 were a force to be reckoned with on the pitch, but the script has changed dramatically since then.
Then and Now
There are two major differences between the Magpies of 1995 and 2018. The club fully supported Keegan and made proper, timely investments in the transfer market. Today, and for a decade now, the Magpies have suffered under the selfish interests of Mike Ashley. For three consecutive transfer windows, Rafa Benitez’s transfer demands have been ignored.
The second major difference between the two sides is centered on offensive production. While the 1995 side enjoyed 25 goals from one striker, the Magpies’ attacking core struggles to score more than ten.
It would be a miracle if the Magpies landed a major striker to improve the quality of the current side. However, with Ashley at the helm, it is hard to imagine Newcastle emulating the success of the Entertainers any time soon. Rafa Benitez is doing all he can to transform the club, but he needs financial support to see his vision through.