A demotion that failed to dent their determination: Newcastle United might have put their fans into the agony with their helpless displays last season in the Premier League but they have put their wheels back on the track to ensure that there is no redundancy of the same as they appear to be seemingly likely to climb the stairs back to the top tier. Rafael Benitez is a man with on a mission to make Newcastle United a sensational side once again, a riveting team which shall aspire for the fashionable European nights.
The galore of such dreams might be a far cry at the moment but without a doubt, the Magpies have assembled quite a neat and productive side under the tutelage of Benitez. Newcastle United have put their foot on the accelerator from the work go in the Sky Bet Championship and their toil has seen them being placed at the pinnacle of the league table with a point lead over second-seeded Brighton & Hove Albion. The automatic promotion spots are up for grabs and with the way the scenario is shaping up, no complacency should be entertained by the St. James’ Park based outfit.
More than anything else, it is of the paramount importance of the attacking arsenal of Newcastle United to keep firing and the undeniable need to place Dwight Gayle right up front to rattle the cages is all that matters the most at the moment. In all fairness, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez are miles away from hitting the yardsticks which Gayle has epitomised and should Benitez hope for cementing his side’s stature at the top of the league table, he must entrust the prime striking responsibilities to the 27-year-old hitman.
Gayle has been absolutely outstanding this term, banging goals left, right and centre and creating chances for his fellow teammates as well. In 23 league appearances that has been handed to him so far this term, the former Crystal Palace star has bagged 20 goals with a shot accuracy of 68%, garnered 2 assists and created 19 chances as well and no wonder why it was shocking to see him starting on the bench in Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw against Norwich City at the Carrow Road.
With Gayle leading the line, there is an assured reliability and limitation in the number of failed chances, which the likes of Perez and Mitrovic haven’t been very good at. Gayle has all the traits in him to boost any top quality side and with two home games lined up in a span of six days, their chances of accumulating all 6 points will be improved massively if the tenacity and movements of the frightening goal-scoring machine.
Benitez has guided the Englishman’s return perfectly by making him get some minutes under his belt and getting him back in the scheme of things as he appears to be firm and ready to slaughter the opponents for the remainder of the season to earn a promotion for his employers. A hungry lion is to face a downtrodden Aston Villa side: are you expecting a goal fest from Gayle already?
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
