Newcastle United 2015/16 season
League Position: 18th (2014/15: 15th)
Average league attendance: 48,615 (2014/15: 50,359)
Top league goalscorer: Georginio Wijnaldum (11)
United's six-year stay in the Premier League came to an end after a frustrating season in the North East. Former England manager Steve McClaren was appointed in the summer after narrowly avoiding the Play-Offs with Derby County just a few months before.
Summer signings Georginio Wijnaldum [PSV Eindhoven] and Aleksandar Mitrovic [Anderlecht] bolstered the attack, while Chancel Mbemba [Anderlecht] and Florian Thauvin [Marseille] would be needed further back. Ryan Taylor [Hull City] and Jak Alnwick [Port Vale] were allowed to leave the club on free transfers.
Young English goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was loaned to Crawley Town to gain some first team experience, but was soon called back for cover when Tim Krul was ruled out for the rest of the season in October.
It took until the ninth league game of the season to register their first win, a 6-2 thrashing of Norwich City. In the run up to January, Newcastle had only won four games, drawn five and lost 10.
In the winter transfer window, they recruited Jonjo Shelvey [Swansea City] and Andros Townsend [Tottenham Hotspur]. Heading the other way, Mike Williamson joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a permanent deal after several loan spells earlier in the season.
Despite some new blood in the team, Newcastle couldn't seem to find a level of consistency that could win them points. In February and March, the club picked up four from a possible 21 and McClaren was released from his contract.
New boss Rafael Benitez turned the club's fortunes around and almost rescued them from relegation. After a few teething defeats to Southampton and Norwich, points against Liverpool and Manchester City pushed United towards safety. Unfortunately for them, Sunderland also played well throughout that period and condemned their local rivals to relegation in May.
St James' Park Barrack Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST Click here for directions to St James' Park
The Manager
Rafa Benitez recently signed a new contract to ensure he will manage them in the Championship next season. His former clubs include Valencia, Liverpool, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid. He has a hugely successful CV having won; two La Liga titles, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, one FA Cup, one Italian Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and two Italian Super Cups.
The 56-year-old Spaniard had a short playing career as a defender before starting on the path to management. It was at Valencia that he first proved himself, winning two league titles in a division dominated by Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. Since the turn of the century, only five teams have won the championship in Spain. From there, he has been successful with teams from around Europe but takes on a new challenge with The Magpies in 16/17: can they force their way straight back into the Premier League?
The First Meeting
1 September 1934, Football League Division Two - Newcastle United 2 Brentford 5 Brentford XI: Mathieson; Bateman, Poyser, Watson, James, Burns, Hopkins, Scott, Holliday, Muttitt, Fletcher Ernest Muttitt scored his first and only hat-trick for the club, as Jack Holliday and Dai Hopkins added one goal each, the year Brentford would be promoted as champions.
The Last Meeting
12 September 2001, Worthington Cup - Newcastle United 4 Brentford 1 Brentford XI: Gottskalksson; Powell, Dobson, Price, Anderson, Gibbs, Evans, Mahon, Ingimarsson, Burgess, Owusu The Bees take The Magpies all the way to extra time after Lloyd Owusu's opening goal is cancelled out by Shola Ameobi in the second half. Substitute Craig Bellamy scores a hat-trick in the 30 additional minutes.
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 3 Draws: 0 Newcastle wins: 6