At the end of the 2015/16 Premier League season, Newcastle United were relegated to the Championship under Rafael Benitez who did all he could to clean up the mess left behind by Steve McClaren.
It was, of course, not enough with the Magpies condemned to English football’s second tier, though they were not there for too long thanks to players such as Dwight Gayle being signed.
Gayle arrived at St. James’ Park from Crystal Palace ahead of the 2016/17 campaign, and brought much delight to the Newcastle supporters in the process.
GET IIIN
— thomas (@thmsstn) July 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/liamnufccooper/status/748788469598523392
Love it @NUFC. New striker New kit. The #rafalution has started #NUFC
— RafasBlack&WhiteArmy (@hootzy61) 1 July 2016
https://twitter.com/aido_a/status/748792332875501569
Welcome to the #Rafalution Dwight & good luck @andros_townsend . You give it your all.
— Tynemouth Surf Cafe (@SurfCafeTM) July 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/DebbieCannon7t3/status/748793369430601728
https://twitter.com/BigTimeTommyRog/status/748790143419420674
And by the end of the season where Newcastle ended up winning the Championship and promotion back to the Premier League, it was not hard to see why.
In 32 league appearances, Gayle managed to score 23 goals, providing the Magpies with the firepower they needed to achieve their goal of returning to the summit of English football.
Up front, his pace was a constant problem for defenders while he had the finishing ability to get the job done for his side.
Unfortunately for Gayle and Newcastle, the 28-year-old was unable to replicate his Championship form in the Premier League following promotion and has since joined West Brom on loan as he looks to help guide them back to the promised land just like he did with his parent club.
Nevertheless, Gayle was still a very important signing for Newcastle during their time in the Championship, and one Benitez was wise to push for.
