Newcastle United’s fantastic form is being driven by a fierce team spirit, some smart game management and a slice of earned good fortune.
But there’s another factor motivating this group which hints at the bigger issues to come for the Magpies: and that’s that a good chunk of these players are playing for their futures, either at St James’ Park or elsewhere.
Of the eleven starters on Saturday, three are entering the final six months of their contracts. A further three are going into the last 18 months of deals which are under discussion with the club’s hierarchy.
The players with a summer 2020 contract expiration are Javier Manquillo, Andy Carroll and Federico Fernandez – all of whose futures are in the balance.
And of the 2021 crop, Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar all started the match against Southampton. Ciaran Clark, Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, DeAndre Yedlin and Christian Atsu are also heading into the final 18 months of their contracts, making that summer potentially the biggest overhaul of personnel in recent times.
So for all that we’re heading into recruitment season, in the next couple of years.
As much as that creates uncertainty, it also gives Newcastle potential to remould the squad in the image that Steve Bruce wants. And just as important is the powerful motivation that gives several players to prove that a new deal is justified.
Manquillo has certainly never played as well as he has in his recent streak of fine form, which culminating in shutting out Wilfried Zaha on Saturday – a display which prompted Bruce to hail him as Newcastle’s “best player on the day”.
Fernandez has also surprised those at Newcastle who felt that he would be the natural candidate to exit after the departure of Rafa Benitez, a manager who was so personally responsible for his signing. At 30 years of age he is approaching probably the final big contract of his career and he’d ideally like that to be at Newcastle.
Both are making compelling cases for extensions, as is Carroll – whose influence off-the-field is as crucial as his performances on it.
Of all the big contract decisions facing them, United have only addressed Martin Dubravka’s so far – but it’s understood other contract discussions are moving in the right direction. Recent form might encourage Newcastle to act even quicker.
This black and white band of brothers are giving United’s hierarchy some welcome headaches.
