Newcastle Toons
Fansided

5 things we learned about Newcastle in the 2018-19 season

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 04: The Newcastle United team get into a huddle before kick-off during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on May 04, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 04: The Newcastle United team get into a huddle before kick-off during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St. James Park on May 04, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with teammate Jamaal Lascelles. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 19: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with teammate Jamaal Lascelles. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

Top 10 Defense

Newcastle were praised for their defensive stability last season and the back-line deserves the same praise for their performances this term. Rafa Benitez rotated the defensive lineup several times over the course of the season, but despite the constant changes in the back, Newcastle were sound defensively.

Over the course of 38 games, Newcastle have conceded 48 goals. This tally is better than three teams in the top ten, which includes Arsenal (51) and Manchester United (54). Moreover, it is worth mentioning that 25 of the 48 goals Newcastle conceded were against the top six. This means the Magpies only conceded 23 goals to teams ranked seven through 20 and that is very impressive.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Paul Dummett of Newcastle United clears the ball off the line. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Paul Dummett of Newcastle United clears the ball off the line. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /

Newcastle also managed to claim 11 clean sheets this season, which ranks seventh in the league behind Liverpool (21), Manchester City (20), Chelsea (16), Everton (14), Tottenham (13) and Crystal Palace (12). In addition, the Magpies’ disciplinary record is also worth praising as Benitez’s men had the seventh-fewest yellow cards (57) in the league and the seventh-fewest red cards (two).

The Toon were aggressive defensively, closed down open gaps, made quick clearances and two defenders were also key contributors offensively. Fabian Schar took everyone by surprise as he scored four goals this season, one of which was an absolute rocket against Burnley, and Ciaran Clark also chipped in with three goals.

While it is great to see defenders score some goals for the club, it is also unfortunate knowing that two defenders outscored Newcastle’s back-up strikers. Schar and Clark scored seven goals this season while Joselu and Yoshinori Muto only scored three.

Yeah… no bueno. Overall, though, Newcastle had another solid campaign defensively and this bodes well for next season. In my opinion, based on what I have seen this season, Newcastle are only one wing-back away from being a top five defensive unit in the Premier League.