The 1-0 win against Huddersfield moved us up the 12th in the table, seven points above the relegation place.
The victory has capped off a stunning turnaround in fortunes for the club in 2018. At the turn of the year, we were just one point off the drop zone with 19 points from 21 matches. Since then, we have racked up 17 points in ten games.
Chronicle journalist Mark Douglas summed up the stats for 2018 on Twitter, and fans responded:
? Minty (@minty_9) 31 March 2018
Can`t underestimate how big that win at West Ham was that stopped the rot, The manner of that win with a under strength team coming from behind saving a pen and holding on seemed to galvanise the club when doubt was setting in.
? Dean Woods (@wuds100) 1 April 2018
Aye but we play too defensively!
? Fordy (@FordyTheGeordie) 1 April 2018
If we’d signed the three January signings in August I don’t see why we wouldn’t have been somewhere between Burnley & Everton in the table.
? Chris Billany (@cbil1984) 1 April 2018
Rafa, that
? Jack (@JackStanley86) 1 April 2018
I seem to recall reading that Rafa has a knack of finishing strong…seems to be happening (hopefully!) this time.
As you said recently, the next few months are crucial as to whether #nufc build on this in the future, or all the good work is undone…for the umpteenth time
? MC (@cook_uk) 31 March 2018
Dummet and diame would also be on the short list for PFA player of the season.
? Chris Kelly ☻ (@ckay1984) 31 March 2018
Incredible stats
? Dull Bloke UK (@dullblokeuk) 31 March 2018
Imagine we backed him
? Christopher Bruce (@ChrBruce) 31 March 2018
Totally agree the sooner we get Rafa tied down to a very long contract the better . #inrafawetrust @rafabenitezweb our fans trust your management our our club . And he gets us like we get him with out Rafa we be nothing . #nufc
? toon travel 2 (@RuzMark) 31 March 2018
Verdict:
Rafa has to be given much of the credit for the upturn in form over the past three months. Moving Mo Diame into central midfield alongside Jonjo has proved to be inspired, while having an assured presence in between the sticks in Martin Dubravka has been very important too.
We can’t rest on our laurels though despite the improvements that have been made. We need to finish the job, and as the manager says, we should focus on getting those 40 points. Up next is Leicester, and hopefully we can snatch another three points at the King Power on Saturday.