After an impressive season last time around, Newcastle United players found themselves back to the league they belong. However, their return to the zenith of English football has not gone according to plan and although they had enjoyed a decent start to their new English top-flight campaign, things are now pretty tough at the club.
After a passive start, they fared well and slowly come back to their regular grind. Things have fallen apart since for the Magpies and they are suffering from the tenacity of the English league. They are now 13th in the league. They have collected just eight of the last 27 possible points. They are still just two points off the relegation and relegation now looks a possibility.
Their 2-3 positive result against West Ham United was a crucial three points for them with the Magpies overtaking fellow strugglers West Ham United and it will give them a huge boost going into the second half of the season. However, they were unable to back it up and could only manage a 0-0 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The 1-0 win against fellow strugglers Stoke City has given them some breathing space. In a league where results after each match week can send a club relegation to top ten, Newcastle will have to continue their fight if they wish to stay afloat this season.
With the January transfer window coming up, Newcastle will look to seek redemption in the market after failing to register quality, new players in the summer. Rafael Benitez has made no secret of the fact that Newcastle United need new players. However, with Newcastle unable to sell their existing crop of players, Newcastle has had to deal with a stagnant squad and that has frustrated Benitez.
It is now being reported that Newcastle United are in the hunt for England international Joe Hart. Newcastle currently plays Rob Elliot in goal with Freddie Woodman and Karl Darlow as the two backups. Although Elliot has kept a few good clean sheets with Darlow as well proving as worth in goal, Benitez it would seem wants an improvement in Newcastle’s goal.
Such a scenario has brought into picture Joe Hart of West Ham United. The on-loan goalkeeper from Manchester City has faced a frustrating time in England ever since the arrival of Pep Guardiola. Constantly shifting clubs has affected his form and with the 2018 Russia FIFA World Cup coming up, Hart would not want to damage his limited prospects of playing for England by making a move again.
