With 32 points from 30 games, Newcastle United are in touching distance of cementing their place in the top flight next season but Rafa Benitez’s side have a tough fixture list leading up to the end of the season.
They play three of the top 6 sides in the last 8 games of the competition and will have to work hard to make sure that they retain their place, close to the top half of the points table.
Like they did against Manchester United, Newcastle can compete with the best sides but don’t have the consistency owing to the lack of world class players in the squad. The manager needs his better players to find some form late in the season to end the campaign on a high.
There are a number of players Benitez needs at the top of their game for the last couple of months and here are three who are expected to be crucial for Newcastle United in the business end of the season:
#3 Jonjo Shelvey
The former Liverpool midfielder is one of the crucial cogs in the side for Newcastle United. A dynamic presence in the middle of the park, Shelvey has been Newcastle United’s best player in most games they have won recently, and his form will be crucial for the Magpies late in the season.
He can add numbers at both ends of the field and is the fulcrum on which Rafa sets up his side and if he can have a strong finish to the season, Newcastle United are certainly going to finish well.
#2 Matt Ritchie
Easily one of the biggest attacking threats for Newcastle United, Ritchie is having a decent season so far but has not been able to find any consistency.
The Magpies are usually on the top when Ritchie is on form and Rafa needs the 28-year old to be on the top of his game for the remainder of the campaign.
He adds pace and width to the attack which will be important for the side against teams around them in the points table.
#1 Martin Dubravka
Finally, the Magpies also need their shot-stopper to continue the form he has shown so far recently.
With both Elliot and Darlow unavailable at full fitness, Dubravka might be the only option for the manager till the end of the season and he might have to put in at least one match-winning performance, to take his side to safety come the end of the season