How did Newcastle do this season? 2021/22 FPL review
With the Premier League season over, it’s time to assess each of the 20 teams one by one. So here is Newcastle’s FPL review of 2021/22.
It’s been an eventful year on Tyneside. On Thursday 7th October 2021, the miserable 14 years of Mike Ashley’s ownership were finally over. Spontaneous parties took place all over the city – including outside of the stadium. Tears were shed, songs were sung and dreams came true.
Because it was finally safe to use words like ‘hope’, ‘ambition’ and ‘success’ around the corridors of St James’ Park.
Yet it took a bit longer for Newcastle’s first win of the campaign to arrive – Gameweek 15. No Premier League team had ever escaped relegation having not won in their first 14 attempts. The task for new head coach Eddie Howe was daunting.
Thanks to some clever January purchases and superb coaching, Newcastle made history. Not only did they survive, it was a comfortable mid-table finish on 49 points. Since January 1st, the Magpies rank fourth behind just Liverpool, Man City and Spurs. That’s why Howe was nominated for Manager of the Season.
FPL review
Several of the players above have numbers influenced by their half-season at other Premier League clubs. Matt Targett, Chris Wood and Dan Burn began at Aston Villa, Burnley and Brighton.
Listed as an FPL forward but, more accurately, a winger, Allan Saint-Maximin has attempted the league’s most take-ons (241) and nobody even comes close. 150 of these were successful, which almost matches the total number of second-placed Emmanuel Dennis (156).
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s defence was shambolic under Steve Bruce. And heading into Gameweek 23, they had conceded the most shots and expected goals (xGC), alongside being second-worst for clean sheets and opposition goals.
With better players and better coaching, the subsequent 16 weeks brought vast improvement. Suddenly, they were amongst the best seven in the same four categories.
Best FPL asset
Similarly, this award will also split the season into two halves. Until suffering a bad calf injury that made him miss 16 matches, Callum Wilson was having a great time. Six goals had been scored, making him a strong option amongst mid-priced forwards.
However, January brought the sensational signing of Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. He didn’t make the starting line-up until Gameweek 28 but ended the season with five goals, 11 bonus points and three double-digit hauls. An incredible impact, with fans already adoring him.
Biggest FPL disappointment
Joe Willock was never going to continue the freakish run of form that ended his initial loan spell. Seven consecutive goal-scoring games was clearly a purple patch.
However, after signing permanently from Arsenal in the summer, it took 19 appearances before any sort of attacking return – an assist against Aston Villa. It preceded two goals in two games but nothing more.
Of all the season-ending FPL prices, Willock and Wood have experienced the biggest price falls of the season.
Looking ahead to next season
This summer could be anything for Newcastle. An obscene number of transfer rumours are already piling up, although being labelled as ‘the richest club in the world’ is not exactly aiding their plans for modest spending. A top-class striker will come, plus a left-back and attacking midfielder, in the hopes for a top eight finish.
Whereas Joelinton was almost certainly be reclassified as a midfielder – rather than a forward – it’s unclear if Saint-Maximin will follow.
Check out our other FPL review articles, as well as regular summer round-ups of FPL news and gossip.
