Newcastle reached the last 16 of the Champions League and a cup semi-final but are 14th in the Premier League table
Shola Ameobi, right, with Eddie Howe
Newcastle United may be sitting 14th in the Premier League table but Shola Ameobi claims that ‘ultimately it’s been a good season’.
The former Magpies striker is now working for the club behind the scenes in a role as loan manager. It means he has has access to certain aspects of the club’s setup as he looks to get some of the most promising players out on temporary moves to aid their development.
Despite not being part of the first-team picture, Ameobi has worked with the coaching staff in identifying opportunities for players and he keeps a close eye on the progress of Eddie Howe’s team.
It’s been a tough season for United. The promise of the first half the campaign, which saw Newcastle fighting on four fronts, has disappeared with a real slump in form after they crashed out of the Champions League against Barcelona and then lost to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby just days later.
Newcastle have now lost nine of their last 12 Premier League games and their position in the table is terrible, but Ameobi points to other factors and performances this term.
Howe led the club to the last 16 of the Champions League and a Carabao Cup semi-final, and Ameobi believes that the European run in particular is a huge achievement.
“Nothing’s changed,” he told Flashscore.com at during An Evening with the Ameobis held at the Fedash Centre in Sunderland during the week.
“Ultimately, you can’t win every season. Every competition is difficult to continue to win in. Everyone’s getting better around you. Ultimately, we’ve been in a lot of competitions this year, Champions League, travelling, all those things affect the team.
“Obviously, injuries as well have a big impact. On paper, it might not look like we’re where we want to be, but ultimately, it’s been a good season, furthest we’ve ever finished in Europe, which is a massive achievement.
“There’s still some games left, so let’s see where the team finishes at the end of the season.”
Newcastle have four games to go this term, starting with a home clash against Brighton on Saturday. They then finish with games against Nottingham Forest, West Ham United and Fulham.
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