Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has hailed one “big stat” to come out of the Magpies’ season.
Rafael Benitez’s men – who eventually finished 13th after putting four past Fulham on the final day – placed ninth in a table of overall form starting from Christmas Day.
Speaking to the Newcastle Chronicle, Slovakian international Dubravka said that such statistics can help the club push on to better things next season.
“It is a big stat,” the 30-year-old said. “Good stats will be helpful for us going forward and looking ahead to next season as well.
“Let’s just go into next season and get as many points as possible.”
OPINION
After a shaky start to the season, Newcastle have come back strong in the second half of the season and no other stat epitomises that quite like this one. To be ninth in an overall form table since Christmas is a fantastic achievement which cannot be underestimated, and it shows the potential within this Newcastle team. If Benitez stays and keeps the shell of his team that have done so well this term – including Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez – then there is every reason to think that, with a few signings, Benitez can take Newcastle forward again next season. As for Dubravka, it’s been a stellar first full season at St James’ Park, with the 4-o thrashing of Fulham his 11th clean sheet of the season. Overall, things are looking bright for Newcastle after a really impressive season, and they need to show they can kick on and progress next term.