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Back in 2008-09 when the season concluded, the once mighty Newcastle United found themselves relegated to the Championship,the first time in the Premier League era sparking off debates whether and if they are going the ‘Leeds way’. Three seasons on and in one of the most dramatic turn around, the Magpies finished fifth – a high since the Bobby Robson days. When the season started many wouldn’t have bet on Newcastle to qualify for Europa and the fact they almost pulled off a dramatic feat to finish in the top four testifies the great football they have played since last August. While their fate still hangs in the balance, (Chelsea winning Champions League this weekend would mean they miss out on European football next term) they were indeed one of the success stories of the greatest edition of Premier League.
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After finishing twelfth last season, Pardew needed to shore up his squad and so he did. Andy Carroll’s departure to Liverpool for an extravagant £35m the previous winter meant they needed a striker –more importantly the boss had the money to get one. However, their top goalscorer this season came for free from Upton Park – Demba Ba has been one of the signings of the season. While others pondered, Pardew jumped to get this French striker to St.George’s.
Ba was the first of a series of signings that the club made – Frenchmen Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan joined as well. Young and promising Davide Santon, the lad largely remembered among football fans for his heroics against a certain Cristiano Ronaldo when they faced United in the Champions League back in 08-09, joined the club from Italian giants Inter to solve the problems in defense. Tim Krul, who had been warming the benches till then, became the new first choice goalkeeper for the Magpies. The team started the season looking extremely bright, the new signings were already making their presence felt and Newcastle went unbeaten for 11 weeks in the Premier League till they finally lost to eventual Champions Man City.
A lean period followed with inconsistent and lacklustre displays throughout November and December. The turn of the year brought better fortune for the club with Pardew’s boys celebrating 2012 with a sparkling 3-0 win over United – the french duo of Ba and Cabaye combining to register a great win. However, the month of January has other significance for the Geordies. The goal machine from SC Freiburg Papiss Demba Cisse joined the club and went onto pump in 13 league goals since his first appearance against Tottenham in the 5-0 annihilation of the Tyneside club. Cisse and Ba worked brilliantly together and Cisse’s signing gradually seemed to be a managerial masterstroke as the Senegalese marksman continued to score goals for fun.
Month of March and the Magpies managed to steal a march (that rhymed!) on their opponents going on a six match winning streak till it was brought to a halt by a resurgent Wigan side after having finally woken up from their deep slumber. The weeks leading upto the season end were pretty tough fixtures for Newcastle and although they did manage to get the better of Chelsea, (the Londoners getting trolled by Cisse completely) defeats to City and Everton on final day sealed their fate and they missed out on the top four finish.
Cisse and Cabaye both have been revelations this season
For the Geordies, there has been plenty to rejoice about this season. The club once put up on sale for peanuts (£100m) after relegation are again competing with the country’s elite. They have a manager who seems to be in total command of the ship and with Graham Carr doing his scouting really well, Pardew has put together a reasonably strong squad. It would be a great incentive for the club if they do play in Europe next season, that will ensure their top players staying and the revenues improving.
Highs of the season:
- 3-0 win over Manchester United at the beginning of the year catalysed their season,which was somewhat on the wane after an impressive start
- Individual performances-Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote, Tim Krul
- Finishing fifth and conditional qualification for Europa League next season.
Lows of the season:
- Tottenham’s drubbing of Newcastle,5-0
- A disappointing 4-0 defeat to Wigan
- Being knocked out of FA Cup by Championship strugglers Brighton.
Player of the Season
Papiss Demba Cisse – Steering off stiff competition from captain Coloccini and goalie Krul, he is my pick. Newcastle’s late surge to finish high in the table was pretty much down to this one man, scoring goals at will.
Moment of the season
Papiss Cisse wondergoal – Did you see THAT?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RidSSFl1FeM
