'A Season Of Mixed Emotions For Newcastle'

- Newcastle United visit King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City in the Premier League on Friday 
- The Magpies are currently 17th in the top flight standings, nine points ahead of Fulham in 18th 
- Journalist Lee Ryder speaks about United's season as a whole and what he expects on Friday
- Newcastle have proved to be too inconsistent to challenge higher up the table, he believes

United will arrive at King Power Stadium for Friday evening's 8pm BST kick-off in the Premier League with top flight status all but secured for next season.

Steve Bruce's side go into the clash with Leicester City on 36 points, holding a nine-point gap to Fulham and the relegation zone with just four games remaining this term.

Although Ryder believes any early season optimism quickly faded away due to several factors on and off the pitch, there have also been some memorable highs, including completing the league-double over Everton and securing back-to-back draws with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

"At the start of the season, Bruce was talking about trying to challenge for the top 10," he commented, reflecting on the Magpies' campaign as a whole. "But it became pretty obvious around November/December time that it was going to be a struggle.

"They got injuries, they had issues with COVID-19, the training ground got shut down. So, after Christmas, it was a bit of a nightmare really. They just couldn't buy a win. Then they managed to get themselves sorted a little bit.

"Graeme Jones came in as coach and they had a bit more of a fresh tactical look and they've probably put together enough points to be safe. But nobody wants the white-knuckle ride like this every season just to stay up.

"It's been a season of mixed emotions. There's been some high moments with wins but overall the consistency just hasn't been there.

"Bruce was a candidate for Manager of the Month in April, which off the back of a horrendous March, where they looked on their knees against Brighton, it was a remarkable turnaround.

"I don't think many people thought Bruce would be there after the international break. Based on results at other clubs, they thought there might be a change, there's no doubt about that, but Newcastle stuck with him.

"They said they had no intention of changing manager and they've got their heads together as a squad and a group of staff and put together a few good results. There's now a barrier between themselves and Fulham."

Impressive wins over Burnley and West Ham United came in-between credible draws with Tottenham and Liverpool, as the Magpies put together a run of eight points from four matches in April.

However, they fell to a 2-0 loss against Arsenal at St. James' Park last time out and, following a late red card for Fabian Schär, will now miss the Swiss defender for the trip to King Power Stadium.

The Chronicle's chief Newcastle United writer says the result and the manner of the performance was frustrating, given the team's recent form: "It was really disappointing after four games unbeaten. You hoped that they would have given it a little bit of a go against Arsenal. Instead they sat back and played the long game really.

"But when Arsenal got an early lead, they had something to hold onto and Newcastle didn't seem to have the answers to even make a game of it. So unfortunately they emerged with what they deserved, which was nothing, and they now go into this game really needing to make amends."

While Newcastle look set to see out the season above the drop zone, the Foxes are fighting to finish in the top four and also have the Emirates FA Cup Final against Chelsea later this month. Ryder sees City's busy upcoming fixture list as a potential chance for the visitors to get something out of the game.

"I know Leicester have got such a lot to play for," the journalist added. "I think Newcastle will play five at the back again and go there and see a point as a great result the way this season has gone.

"Funnily enough, last season in the corresponding fixture, Newcastle got beat 5-0 in this game and the last time they dropped into the relegation zone was that day. They are not going to do that this time, but it will be very difficult.

"I think the only thing going in Newcastle's favour is the fact that Leicester have got a bit of a packed schedule coming up, they've got a midweek game and obviously the FA Cup Final.

"That might work in Newcastle's favour where people do not want to miss out on an FA Cup Final, so that could come into the minds of the Leicester players a little bit."

All times BST.