Not usually a fan of multi-threads but as fans of proper clubs I hope we could hold a decent discussion about this. Newcastle have just beaten Stoke away from home (a place where Liverpool, United and Chelsea all failed to get 3 points) and are now unbeaten in the league and lie 3rd, above all the other London clubs. How far can they go? They have Everton (H), City (A), Chelsea (H). If they can walk out of those tricky games with even 3 or 4 points I think they have to be taken seriously for the top 6 at the very least. Thoughts?
To be honest if we can finish top 8 I would be chuffed to pieces. All it takes is an injury crisis and we are in biiiiiig trouble!
This is on Citeh's board Their defence is an absolute FORCE, I'll be worried when we play them, especially with Ba. I think they'll make top 8 noooo problem.
There riding high on steady form, can't argue with that. Unlike us at the mo they don't give away silly goals.
Great point ginge. Beating Stoke in their own back yard is defo an indication that they can do really well this year and good luck to them. However each year you get the odd side that over achieves (or under) for a bit and things tend to even out over a season. I expect a push for Europe but top 6 may be too much, top 8 for sure.
We wont finish top 6. Or at least I dont expect us too. Defensively we have been tight this season and up front we seem to be taking our chances which is a good formula. But we have had no injurys this season and once this and supsensions come in we do not have the cover to mount a top 6 charge. Having said that I wouldnt swap what we have for anything (other than erm Man City and Man Utds start) so good job Pardew. The thing is things at our spot go tits up when things are running smoothly so expect some weird shi* in the next couple of weeks.
True but success breeds success and what will define their season will be the belief and how they react to defeats. If they can get that then UCL is around the corner but as Maureen used to say each game is a different game and take each one as they come with no other focus.
Why don't you add Newcastle to the thread. (if possible) To answer the OP Newcastle are my wife and sons team so i am happy they are doing well and hope they continue to do so.
I will. I just wanted to get some views from non-Newcastle fans to begin with, I will try to include them in the thread.
6th is possible for us. Imo, there are 5 teams definitely better than us. Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs. That's 5 places wrapped up, so who gets the 6th? We're competing with the likes of Everton and Aston Villa for that spot, so when you look at it like that, is it really so far fetched to aim for 6th? We're outperforming both of those teams atm, and both of them aren't exactly known for having big squads, so they're as susceptible to injuries as we are.
Don't worry, whilst we've been unable to monopolise the Premier League yet, we've made a good go of taking over this forum, I'm sure there'll be a few more of us along shortly! As for how far we can go...None of us know, not even our manager. We're waiting for our bubble to burst and just hoping that when it does, we have enough team spirit to pull us through. Our starting 11 is genuinely decent and the lads who lack technical ability (Raylor, Simpson, Best) are raising their game, whilst players like Coloccini, Cabaye and Ba are adding the touches of class we need. Final point, and this one is most important for me...We have Tim Krul, realistically on current form one of the best young Keepers in the world and statistically THE best keeper in the league this season. My aim is survival ASAP. Once we hit 40 points, then we can start to believe. But with the January transfer window and ACoN threatening to strip us of our finer assets, I'm not looking too far ahead just yet!
Actually, I did forget about Arsenal, who are a better side. I can't see them getting 4th, but they will be battling it out for 6th too, so they might pip the other teams to it.
Liverpool have no pace and Arsenal can't defend. I know those are huge generalizations, but Newcastle should definitely look to capitalize on these two out of the traditional 'Big Four' who have dropped out and look vulnerable. Fourth or fifth place is definitely attainable with the team you've got. But NUFC's fixture list has been pretty kind so far. The big games in late November, December and January should be a better test of what Pardew's team is made of. For all we know, you might be on the end of a few Manc thrashings and crash back into the midtable again. Or you might get some sneaky wins and look like title challengers. I certainly hope that happens.
I feel Newcastle could get 6th. There are 6 sides who on paper should finish above Newcastle, but I do feel Liverpool could be voulnerable, I think Kenny Dalglish has made some of the worst signings in PL history, he's just thrown money at some very average British players. I don't rate Dalglish as a manager in modern day football, Newcastle fans have seen themselves with Kevin Keegan, that just because a manager was good in the 90s it doesn't mean they know what there doing these days. Football has changed alot since Dalglish and his glory days as a manager. Newcastle don't apear to have any big egos now, Pardew has put together a well organised side, who defend extremely well, and they have a striker, who without being spectacular, gets alot of shots on target. I remember watching him in his West Ham days, and everytime he got a sniff at goal, he at the very least worked the keeper. Without these big egos, they now have a side with tremendous team spirit, I noticed in the Spurs game how resilient they were. I personally believe Spurs are the 3rd best side in the country at present, and Newcastle were outstanding against them, and were the better side for large parts of the game. Even when they went behind they never gave in, and a guy who I've always classed as useless (Ameobi) comes off the bench and scores a cracking equaliser, clearly Pardew has had a positive effect on his career, as he has the rest of the team. Newcastle may not have the overall quality that Liverpool have, but I do believe they have a much better manager, and far better team spirit, which could allow then to finish above them
We also have Man United away inbetween Man City and Chelsea. Our season will depend on injuries/suspensions specifically to the centre halfs. Mike Williamson is still out for a few weeks yet leaving only James Perch as CH cover. Also, Tiote and Ba will be away for the African Cup of Nations If we can get reinforcements in January then we may have a chance of a Europa league spot. Top marks to Pardew mind for making us a well drilled unit, even Ryan Taylor looks a player at the minute.
Everton, City, Utd and Chelsea for the next 4 games - both Manchester games being played away. I'd expect this to be the moment when Newcastle falter and drop below the other teams around them. However Chelsea have to play Liverpool, Newcastle and City within there next 5 games. Liverpool have to play Chelsea and City. Spurs and Arsenal have easier run ins and are on good form so i'd expect them to push on through the next 4-5 games getting fairly close to maximum points. With a 6 point gap between Newcastle in 3rd and Arsenal in 7th and the respective fixtures mentioned above you'd expect the table to be very close between 3rd and 7th after the next 5 games and it could be any order of teams really. What is certain is that Liverpool, Chelsea or Newcastle have to drop points. We could even have a top 5 after the next 4 or 5 games of: 1)City 2)Utd 3)Spurs 4)Arsenal 5)Chelsea That is assuming both Spurs and Arsenal continue there form and take advantage of the fixtures they have.
If we're in 7th after 14 games (considering we then have a 3/4 run of winnable games) I'd be absolutely over the moon!
