Monday 25 May 2015 10:03, UK
We reflect on Newcastle's 2014/15 campaign with top stats, quotes and pundit views...
Newcastle United
Finishing position: 15th (-5 on last season)
Total points: 39 (-10 on last season)
FA Cup: Eliminated in the third round by Leicester
Capital One Cup: Eliminated in the quarter-finals by Tottenham
Season review
Newcastle’s season began badly as they failed to win any of their first seven Premier League games of the season. However, Alan Pardew turned things around in dramatic fashion by winning five matches in a row – even claiming the manager of the month award for November in the process.
Things got even better the following month when the Magpies became the first team to inflict a defeat on Chelsea in any competition thanks to a 2-1 victory at St James’ Park, but Pardew’s exit at the end of the month following a 3-2 win over Everton proved to be a key moment.
Newcastle fans who’d called for the coach’s dismissal would’ve suspected that the problems at the club ran rather deeper but they could not have anticipated the scale of the collapse under Pardew’s successor John Carver.
Having been ninth upon Pardew’s departure, Newcastle embarked on a run of eight consecutive defeats from March onwards – their worst run in Premier League history and the worst by any club this season.
The 3-0 defeat to Leicester was perhaps the low point as Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat were both red carded with Carver even suggesting that the former got himself sent off deliberately. The team rallied with a point against West Brom but defeat to QPR left them vulnerable on the final day.
It brought the best out of Carver’s men and there was even the emotional sight of Jonas Gutierrez, having recovered from cancer to return to the side, scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win at West Ham that ended the anxiety. Newcastle fans will be hoping this close shave can now be the catalyst for happier times at St James’ Park.
Star player: Ayoze Perez
Newcastle’s 21-year-old striker Ayoze Perez scored seven Premier League goals in his first season at the club following his move from Tenerife and won plenty of admirers.
“I do like him, but I think that he should be in a team that is doing very well,” Paul Merson told Sky Sports. “I don’t think he should be in a team that has to fight, fight, fight.”
Quotes of the season
“It would have been easy maybe to stay at Newcastle and get a top ten finish this year. Easier, I’m not saying it’s easy, but easier. But I’ve decided to take this challenge.” – Alan Pardew on his move to Crystal Palace
“I thought he meant that and I have told him so. I have actually said this to his face.” – John Carver on Mike Williamson’s red card
“I still think I’m the best coach in the Premier League. That’s what I think.” – a defiant John Carver in May
Stats of the season
- After winning a fifth straight game against QPR on Nov 22nd, Newcastle were lying fifth and level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United
- Newcastle have had 13 red cards in the Premier League since the start of last season, more than any other side. That includes three red cards in their last seven games
- After John Carver took the reins, Newcastle picked up only 13 points in 19 games – fewer than any other Premier League team in that period
Jamie Carragher's view
“Since Mike Ashley’s been there, seven or eight years, they’ve been relegated once and could be close again – under Alan Pardew they came close once before.
“He’s balanced the books, he’s made money because he’s a businessman and that’s what he wants to do. These people come in and they want to make money, we know that, but don’t you want to be excited yourself? Is he not bored watching Newcastle? I’m getting bored by it.
“When you watched Newcastle over the years it was madness, it was excitement, stupid goals going in one end or the other. It was exciting and you wanted to watch them.
“Now it’s boring. Why does Mike Ashley want the club if nothing’s going to happen? He’s not interested in a cup run. I just don’t get it – I don’t understand why he wants to own a football club.”
