Relegation isn’t unthinkable anymore as Newcastle United reach a new low point this season.
While Newcastle United didn’t enter the season as a relegation favorite, they weren’t considered a longshot either. Then, Newcastle got off to a solid enough start to hover around the middle of the table and Steve Bruce said he was aiming for a top-ten finish.
Unfortunately, Bruce has navigated NUFC down to 15th on the table. They are winless in their last eight matches in all competitions and barely resemble the club that had some early-season success. Also, Bruce changed his tune from a top-ten finish to avoiding relegation, which didn’t seem like much of an option at the time.
Now, it’s a fair question to ask if Newcastle United will survive in the Premier League this season. Fulham occupy the final relegation position with 11 points, but they have played two fewer matches than the Magpies. Before the calendar switched to 2021, Newcastle could only muster a draw vs. a 10-man Fulham side.
The next three matches for Newcastle United are tough matchups vs. Arsenal, Leeds United, and Everton. While the clubs below them don’t have easy schedules, there’s no sign that the Magpies will piece together much from their upcoming matches. That gap between Newcastle and the bottom three places will likely continue to shrink in coming weeks.
This Newcastle United roster is talented enough to remain in the Premier League. They have depth and quality all over the pitch. But, they are being guided by a manager that does not get the best out of the squad. Under Bruce’s leadership, Newcastle could be relegated for the first time since 2015-16. If he’s not sacked soon, that end result should certainly cost him his job.