Andros Townsend was something of a panic-buy of a signing but he did put in great shifts and performances as we unfortunately lost the battle against relegation.
Bought from his boyhood club, Tottenham for £12m following a struggle for game time at White Hart Lane. The England international decided to move to Tyneside permanently instead of being loaned out for a sixth time in his career at Tottenham.
Townsend's start on Tyneside was difficult for the club but, in places, he was a bright spark and arguably our best player in the run of form that saw the club win once in a run of ten matches spanning from January to April. Performances then shot up following future captain, Jamaal Lascelles' famous rant at half time away at Southampton and Townsend scored in that second half at St. Mary's Stadium.
As the final chapter of the season proceeded, including the goal at Southampton, Townsend scored 3 goals in the space of five games including the winning goal against his future club, Crystal Palace. His best moment during his brief time at Newcastle has to be that winning goal against Crystal Palace as he rifled a free kick into the top corner. Soon after, Karl Darlow saved a Yohan Cabaye penalty to make sure of a crucial win in the fight against relegation.
A week later, a must win game was sadly drawn against already relegated Aston Villa which gave Sunderland the opportunity to confirm our relegation with a game remaining. Despite the relegation, we (temporarily) departed the Premier League with a bang in what became a last game for Newcastle for the likes of Steven Taylor, Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum and Townsend in a 5-1 thrashing at home to Tottenham.
Townsend's performances for Newcastle warranted him a place in the preliminary England squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament however he missed out on making the final 23-man squad. During the off season, Townsend made a move back to London to Premier League Crystal Palace as the Eagles triggered the £13m release clause.
Dates: 26th January 2016 to 1st July 2016 (157 days).
Transfer details: Bought for £12m from Tottenham Hotspur on 26/01/2016.
Sold for £13m to Crystal Palace on 01/07/2016.
Total: 13 appearances, 4 goals.
Season by Season
2015/16
Premier League: 18th (Played: 13, Won: 4, Drawn: 4, Lost: 5, Goals for: 18, Goals against: 20, Goal difference: -2, Pts: 16)
Record with Townsend
Home (league): Played: 6, Won: 4, Drawn: 2, Lost: 0, Goals for: 12, Goals against: 3, Goal difference: +9, Pts: 14. Win ratio: 67%.
Away (league): Played: 7, Won: 0, Drawn: 2, Lost: 5, Goals for: 6, Goals against: 17, Goal difference: -11, Pts: 2. Win ratio: 0%.
Total: Played: 13, Won: 4, Drawn: 4, Lost: 5, Goals for: 18, Goals against: 20, Goal difference: -2, Pts: 16. Win ratio: 31%.
Record without Townsend
Home (league): Played: 1, Won: 0, Drawn: 0, Lost: 1, Goals for: 1, Goals against: 3, Goal difference: -2, Pts: 0. Win ratio: 0%.
Away (league): Played: 1, Won: 0, Drawn: 0, Lost: 1, Goals for: 0, Goals against: 1, Goal difference: -1, Pts: 0. Win ratio: 0%.
Total: Played: 2, Won: 0, Drawn: 0, Lost: 2, Goals for: 1, Goals against: 4, Goal difference: -3, Pts: 0. Win ratio: 0%.
Goals
Premier League: 4 (Chelsea, Southampton, Swansea, Crystal Palace).
Most goals in a 5-game run: 3 - Southampton, Swansea and Crystal Palace (April 2016).
Home: 2 (50% - Swansea and Crystal Palace).
Away: 2 (50% - Chelsea and Southampton).
Landmark Matches
First win
Newcastle United 1 (Aleksandar Mitrovic 32) West Bromwich Albion 0 - (06/02/2016)
In one of the club's best performances of the season, Townsend came off to a standing ovation as he was substituted in the 88th minute on his home debut. It was a glimpse of what was to come from their new signing.
Aleksandar Mitrovic came up with the winner just after the half hour mark and Steve McClaren achieved his final win as Newcastle manager as he was sacked a month later.
Last win
Newcastle United 5 (Georginio Wijnaldum 19, pen 73, Aleksandar Mitrovic 39, Rolando Aarons 85, Daryl Janmaat 86) Tottenham Hotspur 1 - (15/05/2016)
It was a great day for the club on the final day of the 2015/16 season despite already being relegated. A packed house in full voice rarely happens at a club already relegated as Townsend played a part in the 5-1 thrashing dished out to his former club, Tottenham. The atmosphere played a part in Rafa Benitez's decision to extend his contract at the club during the off season.
Townsend did play the full 90 minutes but it was other players like Moussa Sissoko, Aleksandar Mitrovic who took centre stage as well as a goal for boyhood Newcastle man, Rolando Aarons. The win however meant that Newcastle finished unbeaten in the six home matches (winning four of those) whenever Townsend featured for them.
Further landmark matches
Debut: Everton 3 - 0 Newcastle United (03/02/2016)
First goal: Chelsea 5 - 1 Newcastle United (13/02/2016)