Newcastle are finally mathematically safe from relegation much to the relief of fans. The season has been a poor one with majority of the performances being way below standard. Fans have been critical of Steve Bruce's brand of football even though it has managed to keep the Club in the Premier League, many members of the football world have praised Bruce for his achievement of keeping the Magpies in the league but most fans would regard staying up as sheer luck, as there were three teams in the league not as good as picking up results.
With recruitment expected to be poor over the summer, if the current squad is not strengthened the Club could end up battling relegation next season. The Toon Army have unfortunately witnessed the Club competing for a top 4 position turning in to a club battling relegation over the past dozen years. Mike Ashley owns the Club and has ran the Club on a tight budget for the most part and fans would argue the Club has not progressed in the last 15 years. Steve Bruce was probably hired to keep the Magpies in the Premier League which he did manage to do but fans want much more ambition from the Club.
Since Newcastle is run on a tight budget, the recruitment has to be spot on but as we have seen a lot of times, players are signed who do not make any positive impact on the squad. This lack of managing the recruitment process has cost the Club millions with nothing to show for it. The last notable academy player who was sold from Newcastle to a bigger Premier League club was Andy Carroll over 10 years ago. There have not been many quality players coming through from the academy that have cemented themselves in the Club's starting lineup other than Paul Dummett on a regular basis or moved on to bigger teams.
The Toon Army would definitely be far more forgiving if the manager put his trust in youth and gave academy players a chance, instead of playing seasoned professionals who really don't play with any passion for the badge. The Club desperately needs a takeover which will hopefully lead to better recruitment and a better academy which will help the Geordie football club grow in the right direction.