Can Newcastle United repeat the success of the 2022-23 season?
By Cade Cracas
Newcastle United defied many odds and expectations for the 2022-23 season as they clinched a spot in the Champions League, while also finishing the season in fourth place in the Premier League table.
With such a successful season behind them, can they capitalize on the growth and prominence the team has gained, or will the Magpies fizzle out and become stagnant?
Newcastle United will be fighting with some of the top teams in the world next season after securing Champions League football. Alongside being involved in one of the top tournaments in the world, the Premier League itself will have lofty expectations for the club after they showcased poise against highly-touted clubs.
They were able to finish this past campaign with 71 points to go alongside an overall record of 19-14-5, placing them fourth in the league table. Their five losses were tied as the least amount any team had in English football.
Their fourth-place finish slotted them just above Liverpool, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton.
But will that success last?
The Magpies doing as well as they did this past season marked the first time they’ve done so since the 2002-03 season, ending decades of sub-par play. That being noted could give fans and outsiders alike some doubts about whether or not the team can keep up the hot play, or if it was a one-and-done season.
And to end those concerns, you just need to look at what the team has inside their roster.
This past season the forwarding duo of Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak shined bright as they combined for just under 30 goals.
Wilson, who is just over the age of 30 now, proved that as his age rose, so did his production on the field. He finished the season with 18 goals, which was no fluke.
On the other hand, Isak was a bright star for the team once the calendar year shifted into 2023 as he knocked in 10 goals to help the Magpies ride into the climax of the campaign. His speed and size combined with his precision on the ball warranted multiple defense shifts from opposing teams, helping free up his teammates.
The breakout of the duo was prevalent, and the way in which they showed that was pure production.
Alongside those two, the midfielders Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes were phenomenal as the Brazilian duo helped to facilitate help on both sides of the ball. With both still well under the age of 30, their production is going to only grow as they garner more time on the pitch together.
Defensively, Nick Pope commanded the squadron as the team allowed the least amount of goals, helping provide a primary factor why the team was so successful at coming away from contests with at least one point.
With such talent being displayed game in and game out, and the leadership from Manager Eddie Howe staying consistent all season long, the team is destined to continue their reign of terror within the league for years to come.
If they decide to make some additions this offseason once the transfer window opens, the ceiling for this breathtaking squad only looks to grow.
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