The Newcastle United supporting punters here in the Transfer Tavern have spent many a weekend crying into their empty pint pots this season, due to their team’s miserable form on the pitch.
Relegation back to the Championship is looming large and the Magpies are currently in utter disarray under the stewardship of Steve McClaren.
A group of Newcastle supporters are chatting about how their team have fallen and what needs to be done in order for the club to rise once again.
One downbeat punter is staring blankly at his pint and ponders the landlord’s thoughts that Newcastle are fast turning into Leeds United, and that the Magpies are on an almighty fall from grace.
Our writer Lee Clarke tends to agree with the landlord and here he takes a look at FIVE reasons why Newcastle United are set to become the new Leeds United…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE REASONS!
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Ownership
Leeds United were well documented under the ownership of Peter Risdale – the man who reportedly spent around £250 on goldfish!
Whilst Newcastle chief Mike Ashley isn’t quite into exotic water-based creatures, the Magpies faithful have been less than impressed with how he has spent his money during his tenure at the club.
The debacle surrounding the owners at Leeds and Newcastle have a similar sort of feel too them and if the Magpies were to drop down into the Championship this time, I am not sure they would find it quite as easy as they did previously.
Championship is more competitive than ever
When Newcastle United were last in the Championship during the 2009/10 campaign, it was always inevitable that they would win automatic promotion; such was the weakness of the league.
Nowadays that simply isn’t the case and at the start of every Championship campaign, over three quarters of the teams in the division will be looking towards a play-off place.
The Toon Army could struggle to come back at the first attempt should they get relegated this season, with several players likely to depart too.
In recent seasons the likes of Fulham, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and of course Leeds United have all struggled to get back into the Premier League.
Lack of quality
On present form you wouldn’t back Newcastle United to win a one-horse race, never mind a game of football, and that includes in the Championship.
The lack of quality within their squad must be quite scary for supporters of the club at the moment and they have little to suggest that they can make a fist of promotion next season.
If you take a look at the likes of Hull City and Burnley, they have both built squads well equipped so that if they were relegated from the Premier League, they would stand a good chance of getting back.
The Magpies’ squad will be decimated following relegation, which will mean more years of transition at St. James’ Park.
Loss of fan support
Newcastle United have always been a well supported club but as expected their attendances did drop during their last Championship campaign.
Due to the fact that the Magpies were strong favourites to go straight back up last time, many fans naturally stuck by their team but I just can’t seem them doing the same this time.
At its worst during the 2009/10 campaign, just 15,000 people witnessed a win over Plymouth Argyle at St. James’ Park and you fear the attendances might dwindle once again.
Newcastle’s travelling party of fans to away games will always remain but as Leeds have found out, getting bums on seats at home games is the tricky part following relegation.
Financial implications on the club
As Leeds found out the hard way cost cutting is a must once you are relegated from the Premier League.
It is nigh on impossible not to trim the fat from the squad somewhere and with Newcastle having paid out some hefty wages on their current squad, sacrifices will be inevitable.
Dropping into the Football League these days means that you are straight under Financial Fair Play restrictions and this could be a tricky situation for the Magpies to contend with, should the succumb to relegation during this season.
