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Astounding Premier League form tables final 28 and 16 games – The Rafa Benitez factor

5 years ago
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What could be possible with Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United?

Mike Ashley was there on Sunday to see the team close off their stunning later season Premier League form with a 4-0 victory at Fulham.

Obviously ridiculous that absolutely nothing has been done so far by the owner to secure Rafa Benitez beyond this season.

Bear in mind he has had three years to put building blocks in place to persuade the manager he has a reason to hang around any longer.

We will see what happens with this post-match owner/manager meeting…

So, if either the NUFC owner left (preferably), or changed his ways, what would Rafa Benitez be capable of at St James Park with some realistic backing?

Look at these two form tables (tables via Transfermarkt).

One covers results since the start of November (last 28 matches) and the second one is from mid-January (last 16 games):

From matchday 11 (1-0 win over Watford) up to and including matchday 38 (4-0 win over Fulham):

As you can see, that 28 match form guide takes in 75% of the season after the chaos and lack of support from the owner in the summer 2018 transfer window, led to a very difficult opening to the season.

Only West Ham, outside of the top six, have better form over these past seven months and as you can see, Newcastle are only seven points off Champions League form (Man Utd 49 points, Newcastle 42.

Even better – from matchday 23 (3-0 win over Cardiff) up to matchday 38 (4-0 win over Fulham):

 

Startling stuff.

This latter Premier League form table covering the past four months, shows Newcastle only one point outside the top four Champions League placings.

It also puts a lie to the lazy claims that Rafa Benitez will always play negative boring football.

When he has the tools he will/can play a different way.

Very encouraging that in these last 16 games, only four clubs scored more goals than the 26 Newcastle United scored.

The NUFC manager couldn’t have been messed about more by Mike Ashley last summer.

The owner’s insistence on making a profit in that transfer window and delaying signings such as Rondon until the very end of the window, meant a chaotic summer preparation.

Imagine what would be possible if Rafa was given decent money to spend AND the freedom to go for whoever he wants, when he wants to?

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