Newcastle United’s backline is unrecognisable from the one that faced West Ham on the opening day of last season. Despite taking the lead twice through Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy, the Magpies succumbed to a 4-2 home defeat - a result that set the tone for the first half of the campaign.
After 19 games, Newcastle had conceded an astonishing 42 goals - a clear indication of where Toon chiefs needed to prioritise in the winter transfer window. Eddie Howe’s troops - reinforced by the arrival of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett - were defensively solid from January onwards, conceding 20 from their remaining 19 outings.
One freak result against Tottenham Hotspur in April contributed to half of the goals conceded in 2022. The arrival of Sven Botman for £32million further differentiates the leaky Magpies from twelve months ago to the resilient battlers now observed under Howe.
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Next season will likely see Nick Pope, Trippier, Fabian Schar, Botman and Targett start the season opener against Nottingham Forest. Compare that to last year when Steve Bruce adopted a back five, with Freddie Woodman, Jacob Murphy, Emil Krafth, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Matt Ritchie named on the teamsheet against the Hammers.
Aside from Krafth, who played his finest football in a black-and-white shirt at the backend of 2021-22, every player from that backline is either gone or has been made surplus to requirements. Even the Swedish international would struggle to maintain his place following Trippier’s return to fitness.
The drastic transformation outlines how quickly the new regime can improve the first-team squad. In less than two transfer windows, the defensive frailties that plagued Bruce’s side have been eradicated. Focus turns to the midfield and attack after the arrival of Pope, Targett and Burn as Newcastle aim to climb - inch by inch - up the Premier League table.
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