Premier League 2020-21 preview No 14: Newcastle United


Mike Ashley’s unloved tenure continues after the failed Saudi-led takeover but he has allowed a mini recruitment drive

Guardian writers’ predicted position: 17th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)

Last season’s position: 13th

Related: Premier League 2020-21 preview No 13: Manchester United

Related: Another failed Newcastle takeover ends with a familiar feeling of farce | Louise Taylor

In a nutshell, rich but increasingly sepia tinged. Since their establishment in 1892 – following a merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End – Newcastle United have won four top-tier titles, six FA Cups – three during the 1950s - and, most recently, the European Fairs Cup in 1969. The club has long delighted and disappointed in not always equal measures. Gallowgate has hosted some gloriously free-scoring no 9s, acrimoniously intense derbies with Sunderland, and some dazzling if ultimately forlorn flirtations with glory – see Keegan’s 1990s entertainers and a certain title race against Manchester United. Not to mention often machiavellian boardroom politics.

Continue reading...