Comparing Newcastle’s April 1st position with past relegation seasons
As the calendar flips to April, Newcastle United are in the midst of a dismal run of form that has them squarely in the relegation battle. But, how does their situation on this April 1st compare to previous seasons that ended in relegation?
Currently, the Magpies have played 29 matches and have a 7-7-15 record. That gives them 28 points as they reside in 17th on the table, two points clear of 18th-place Fulham. Their goal differential is -20 and they’re on a six-match winless run.
2009
April 1st, 2009 marked the announcement of Alan Shearer taking over as temporary manager of the club. Unfortunately, the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history walked into a tough situation. Newcastle entered April on a five-match winless streak. Their win over West Brom on 2/7 was the lone victory in their last 12 matches as they moved into April.
We look at how Newcastle United’s current position entering April with relegation seasons of the past.
Unlike Newcastle this season, they were residing in the relegation zone, 18th on the table with 30 matches played. Their record was 6-11-13, 29 points, and the goal differential was -13. They sat two points behind 17th-place Blackburn.
They went winless in their four matches in April, starting with a 2-0 loss to Chelsea on April 4th. The Magpies finished one point behind Hull City in the battle for safety, despite having a better goal differential than the three clubs above them on the table.
2016
This year’s NUFC club was in the worst position on April 1st. They were 19th on the table with 25 points from a 6-7-17 record. Their goal differential was -26 and the Magpies trailed Norwich by three points in the fight for safety.
Bruce has mismanaged this £57m trio at Newcastle. dark. Next
After getting two matches under his belt in March, Rafa Benitez would lose his first two fixtures in April, too. But, the club would go unbeaten in the remaining four matches during the month. Sadly, it was too late and Newcastle would finish two points below safety and rival Sunderland.