We make our requests to the soccer spirits in the sky for what we’d love to see for our beloved Newcastle United in the 2020s.
As the 2010s ended earlier this week, we have officially arrived in the decade of the 2020s. For Newcastle United, the last decade included a pair of relegations, promotions, European soccer in the beginning, and just trying to survive towards the end. Now, looking ahead, we realistically want to see these things happen in the next ten years.
An Ownership Change
This is likely at the top of nearly every single Newcastle United supporter. We had to deal with Mike Ashley’s poor ownership of the club for far too long and it needs to end this decade. There have been numerous “takeover talks” in the past few years and a hero must emerge, maybe Joseph DaGrosa of the group currently interested in buying the Magpies.
A Deep Cup Run
We mentioned this list would be realistic, so there’s going to be no miraculous goals like winning the EPL, Champions League, or Europa League. But, it’s not out of the question that Newcastle can push to win the Carabao Cup or FA Cup in the next decade. Within the last decade, these teams have made the final in either competition: Bradford City, Southampton, Watford, Crystal Palace, Hull City, and even Sunderland. You’re telling me that Newcastle United can’t do something that those clubs have done? The more established and away from the relegation battle they get in the next few years, the more they can focus on other competitions.
No More Relegation
Speaking of the relegation battle, how about we don’t get relegated in the 2020s? Newcastle United is too historic of a club to ever leave the Premier League. They should be battling for trophies, not their safety in the top flight. When a club gets relegated, it sets back any progress that was made beforehand. The 2020s need to be a decade of progress for the Magpies, not of regression.
A New Identity
Newcastle United need to establish a new identity. Life has not been a walk in the park for the Magpies since they came back up to the Premier League in 2017. Trial and error is obviously part of the process, but the team needs to stick to a style, shape and play to their strengths.
That being said, Newcastle United have done well to sign some quality players who can be dynamic threats in the final third of the pitch, but it would be nice to see the team play with more confidence and take the game to their opponents on a regular basis. Chasing the ball for the majority of a game and being dependent on the counter-attack is no fun, and this approach needs to change.