Newcastle United: 2019 predictions
By Durim Halimi
Will Newcastle United avoid the drop? Will Rafa Benitez stay? See our predictions for 2019…
As we enter the new year, the staff writers here at Newcastle Toons decided to share their opinions and predictions for the second half of the season. There are several questions that could be asked, but we are primarily focused on two questions that everyone on Tyneside is thinking about – will Newcastle stay up and will Rafa Benitez sign a contract extension? See our predictions below.
Durim Halimi
Number of players added in January (buy/loan): Two
2018/19 top scorer: Salomon Rondon
2018/19 final position on the table: 15th
Q: Will Newcastle United avoid relegation this season?
The Magpies will secure survival in April thanks to how bad Huddersfield Town, Fulham, Burnley and Southampton are. Newcastle are better than those three squads and Benitez will find a way to earn enough points to stay up and finish 15th or 16th in the table.
Q: Will Rafa Benitez sign a contract extension or will he walk away?
Seeing that Benitez has walked away from Valencia (2004) and Liverpool (2010) because of disputes with the clubs’ owners, I would not be surprised if he walked away from Newcastle in May. The Spaniard has done all he can to revive this club with limited resources, but everyone has a breaking point. Say adios in May.
Carson Merk
Number of players added in January (buy/loan): One
2018/19 top scorer: Salomon Rondon
2018/19 final position on the table: 15th
Q: Will Newcastle United avoid relegation this season?
My thought all season has been that they will be able to avoid relegation due to their defense. Outside of a rare match here and there, they play compact soccer and that helps secure a point here and there and keeps their goal differential in decent shape. I still believe they will survive, but I do not expect a solid unbeaten run to the top half of the table like last year.
Q: Will Rafa Benitez sign a contract extension or will he walk away?
While I would not be shocked or mad at Rafa if he decided to leave, I expect the Spanish manager to stay. He seemingly appreciates the supporters and understands the club. If he gets even a little bit of financial backing from Mike Ashley or a new owner, he can be the guy to turn this around and I think he stays for that reason.
Dean Fisk
Number of players added in January (buy/loan): One
2018/19 top scorer: Salomon Rondon
2018/19 final position on the table: 18th
Q: Will Newcastle United avoid relegation this season?
My heart says yes, my head says no. It all hinges on a January transfer window that could hold the key to the next five years. A poor window with little recruitment? I expect Newcastle to slip down into the Championship. The ramifications of this – Benitez, a takeover or beyond? It’s going to be a tight few months. There are weaker teams than Newcastle, but each of them will still pick up points.
Next. Newcastle should target Victor Moses from Chelsea. dark
Q: Will Rafa Benitez sign a contract extension or will he walk away?
No. Three years ago, Rafa went with his heart and listened to the voices of 52,000 Geordies as Newcastle beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 while slipping into the Championship. Since then, there have been too many broken promises, misdirection and lack of support to push the club forward for Benitez to stay. A takeover could hold hope, but we’ve all heard that before haven’t we? A man of Bentiez’s stature yearns to win trophies – It will be away from Newcastle, I’m afraid.