OPINION
Second-season syndrome is a prospect that managers of promoted clubs undoubtedly do not want to face, and this is obviously the case for Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez.
United made a return to the Premier League last season after being promoted with the likes of Brighton and Huddersfield, steering the club to an impressive tenth-placed finish.
Now the new season has begun he should be wanting to make a signal of intent, but that does not seem to be the case, as one of his major signings this summer – striker Salomon Rondon – only made the bench against Tottenham.
TEAM NEWS:
Here’s how Newcastle United will line up against @SpursOfficial at St. James’ Park this afternoon. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/yvpBAKlWAq
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 11, 2018
Getting your first points on the board is extremely important to hit the ground running, and it seems puzzling why the Spaniard did not start the loanee star.
He may have only scored ten goals for the Baggies last term, but at the moment he is one of the team’s biggest threats going forward, and one of their best chances of scoring.
Tottenham have a very attacking-minded team and they hurt United on several occasions. Catching them on the break was paramount to get a result – and Rondon is the player who can make that happen.
However, Newcastle can be a very hard team to break down – as they proved last season – and are capable of beating anyone in the league.
Nevertheless, they would have stood more of a chance if Benitez started Rondon to begin with, especially as he made a positive impact alongside fellow new signing Yoshinori Muto when he came on in their 2-1 defeat.
Benitez needs to be starting Rondon regularly to get the best out of him after his promising debut, and fans will have their fingers crossed he does make the key decision to select the frontman from the off in their next game against Cardiff.
