jacobhockey13
used to watch hockey, then joined HF Boards
Newcastle will be safe unless Rafa leaves. Swansea, Bournemouth, Burnley as well as the three that came up are likely in more trouble than they are.
Rafa isn't perfect. I say that even though I have a huge amount of respect and gratitude to him. He can't work miracles and I honestly think as a Newcastle fan that the squad is weaker than most think it is.
Lascelles is massively overrated. Dummet sucks (ball retention) and will be exposed defensively in the Premiership against better attackers as he was two years ago. That's two of our four starting defenders who I don't rate. I like Mbemba but God knows Benitez won't play him.
If Shelvey or Ritchie get injured then we will struggle to create anything. I don't think De Jong will be able to pick up the slack.
Whether or not Gayle succeeds will be interesting.
The squad's incredibly fragile at this point. It's going to be rough going; some buys could change that but if we're done for the summer then everybody should expect Newcastle to be in a relegation battle.