Newcastle United moved up to the 2nd spot in the rankings after a routine win over Derby County. The Magpies have thus officially banished their wobbly start to the campaign and have won 4 matches on the trot in the Championship itself. Rafa Benitez has managed to put together a team which is looking like being capable of finishing in the top 2 at the very least. His plan to bring in a strong core of hard-working British players who would not find it as much difficulty in adjusting to the rigours of the 2nd division seems to be slowly gaining shape.
The former Real Madrid coach has been given the complete backing in the transfer window and has splashed the cash as he aimed to build a squad capable of earning an immediate promotion to the English Premier League. And what would have pleased the fans is that Rafa seems to realise the job that is on hand is not an easy one by any means. Although the difference in the quality of the Magpies with most of the teams in the League is huge, it will come to zilch if the players don’t perform on the field. And Rafa seems to have got the message across to his boys as after a couple of initial hiccups they have settled into a more cohesive unit.
Against Derby County it was expected to be a winnable match from the beginning even though it was an away game. The difference in the quality of the players was apparent. Yohan Gouffran gave the visitors the lead when he unleashed an unstoppable volley into the net after he met Jonjo Shelvey’s corner. Matz Sels was largely untroubled but he did have to parry away Craig Bryson’s powerful shot from the edge of the area which was incidentally their best chance. But the Magpies left it late to seal the win until the extra time as new boy DeAndre Yedlin scuffed a shot into the goal after getting a pass from Ayoze Perez.
Derby County’s goal-scoring woes continued as they still have 1 goal from the opening 6 matches. Even the introduction of the newly signed attacking trio of Matej Vydra, James Wilson, and Ikechi Anya was not able to change their deficiencies in front of goal. The likes of Gouffran and Matt Richie diligently tracked back to nullify their threat.
Next up is an away match against QPR and the Magpies will be approaching the match in a buoyant mood but the pragmatic Rafa Benitez will be urging his players to focus on the match and continue their winning streak.
HERE IS THE NEWCASTLE UNITED PREDICTED LINE-UP VS QPR
