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Real Talk Football would like to congratulate Newcastle United for winning The Championship and therefore gaining promotion to the Premiership.

After a season full of turmoil, whereby Joe Kinnear, Kevin Keegan, and even legend Alan Shearer managed the club, the conflicts between the board and the management were the clubs undoing leading to Newcastle being relegated from the Premiership for the first time in 16 years.

The Magpies, managed by former Republic of Ireland player Chris Houghton, beat Plymouth 2-0 on Monday night and condemned the green and whites to relegation. Goals on the night came from the excellent young prospect Andy Carrol, and club vice captain Kevin Nolan.

Newcastle United now currently sit atop of the league with one match left to play, a game in which if they win, they will end with an astonishing total of 101 points. The club has the joint best attack (with fellow promoted side West Brom) with 87 goals.


Despite losing the likes of Damien Duff, Sebastien Bassong, Shay Given, Strikers Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka and Michael Owen, the club have still been very impressive this season, bouncing back at the first time of asking. With this in mind, let’s look at who have been the key men in Newcastle's promotion:

No. 1 – Steve Harper – Goalkeeper - #1

He has played for the club since 1993, and has established himself as one of the most loyal and consistent number 2’s. Finally after the sale of World Class keeper Shay Given to Man City, he was given his chance for the Number 1 jersey, which he grabbed with both hands. This season he has been in fine form this season playing 44 out of 45 games, keeping 21 clean sheets, making 215 saves in the process. Expect the Englishman to continue to keep goal next season.



No. 2 – Kevin Nolan – Attacking Midfielder - #4

The former Bolton midfielder had offers to join Premiership clubs when the Magpies were relegated last season, but decided to stay with the team and fight for the cause. The midfielder didn’t score a single goal in his 1st season with Newcastle, but in this current campaign he managed a career best 18 goals, picking up 5 assists in the progress. A key member of the team, he is their top league goal scorer and is now the clubs vice captain.



No. 3 – Fabricio Coloccini – Centre Back - #2

The Argentine defender had a mixed 1st season at St James Park, but has now settled in England and been solid for the Magpies, situating himself at the heart of the Newcastle’s defence this season playing 35 matches, scoring 2 goals. Most impressively though is that Newcastle boast the best defensive record in the league only conceding 33 goals.



No.4 – Andy Carroll – Striker - #24

The 6ft 5in striker has had a very good season, establishing himself as a 1st team regular, pairing up with the likes of Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands. He is the second highest top goal scorer at the club with 17 goals this season, while possessing skills leading him being compared to club legend Alan Shearer. The striker has also chipped in with 8 assists and is expected to go from strength to strength with the Newcastle.


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