Newcastle steady the ship thanks to Ritchie

After a rough start in their return to the top flight, Newcastle have found their form recently in part thanks to Matt Ritchie

It was not easy for Newcastle in the first few weeks of the season. The club lost back to back matches to open the Premier League season and were then knocked out of the league cup in the first round at the hands of Nottingham Forest. Manager Rafael Benitez knew something needed to change quickly if he was to survive in the top flight.

Luckily for both the club and the fans, things changed for the good rather quickly. The Magpies have won three on the bounce and have revolutionized their attack, scoring six goals combined in those victories.

The revitalized attack is partly due to how well midfielder Matt Ritchie has been playing. The experienced Scottish winger has really led the club in a time of need, tallying four assists in his last three league appearances. His delivery from the wings has made him a vital part of the team going forward and is something that Newcastle should continue to focus on as the season progresses.

Newcastle has also had some goal scoring help from an unlikely source. Defender Jamaal Lascelles has scored the winning goal in the last two matches, with Matt Ritchie’s corner delivery being the catalyst. Having captained the side a handful of times already, Lascelles is proving he can lead the team from the back and still affect the game on both sides of the ball. The leadership he shows, combined with Ritchie’s set piece delivery, could make for a very deadly combination in the coming months.