Title Contenders...(Mackem Magnet Thread)

Before I begin, "Don't shoot the messenger", I found this article when doing a bit of googling for a laptop screen saver and expected it to be cringe worthy and sycophantic, but it raises a good few points. Yes it's written by a Toon fan, yes he's only 17, but there's very little people can deny in what he says...

Basically, for those who can't read it, its his 10 reasons why Newcastle can challenge for the title next season. He states that he doesn't think we WILL, but suggests that us finishing in the top 4 again isn't as ridiculous as it initially sounds...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-they-can-challenge-for-the-title-next-season

Much like the lad, I don't think we'll be even close to winning the title, BUT, (wait for it, there's a giant 'if' to follow) IF we can keep hold of 6/7 of our top players (Krul, Colo, Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Ba and Cisse) and bring in another set of Carr gems, who could really write us out of European contention? European football could hurt us physically, the ACoN could hurt us in numbers and the expectation and pressure from fans and press could hurt us mentally, but 2 years ago we were relegation candidates who won the league, last year we were relegation candidates who solidified our status and started building our team, this year we were relegation candidates who have qualified for Europe...Every season since we've been relegated, I've asked myself, success this year - why not? Well...Next year is a whole new season - so, why not eh?

 

The delusion know's no bounds, pity , at such a young age as well

 

1 comment, 1 use of the D word...

 

The bit that made me laugh was where this guy says that we have a pair of prolific strikers in cisse and ba on a par with tottenham's Defoe and adebayor. Them clowns are nowhere a patch on the double demba's. This article is quite high on the delusion meter, however the fact that parts of it ring true just goes to show how far we've come! I don't believe for a minute that we'll be challenging for the title next year, but I do think with the right additions we could find ourselves in a similar position we're in now

 

We are 4th on merit. If I had come on here this time last year saying we would be 4th in a years time, people would think I was mental.

Like it or not, a spine of Krul, Coloccini, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Cisse, Ben Arfa and Ba is up there with the best. None of them would look out of place in any other squad in the Premier League. Add a few more to that and we could be challengers. It's unlikely but certainly possible.

 

Interesting points but as he notes himself, it won't happen. We have a great squad coming together but the jump to challenging for and winning leagues next season (and over a sustained period) is a pretty big one for me. We've been on a great run of late and early doors, but I don't yet see the ruthless streak required to bludgeon your way through to challenge for the league.

Top 6 again next year will do for me!

 

Chip firmly on shoulder................ we understand

 

Even consecutive European qualification would be an incredible achievement, so in that vein, Top 6 would be amazing! I'd be happy with stability, a decent cup run (either competition) and a reasonable, top 10 finish and I'd be satisfied!

 

This is ridiculous in it's entirity!!!!! We have absolutely no chance of winning the title ever! We won't even achieve the same heights next season and people will start wanting Pardew out. That is exactly what will happen I guarantee it.

 

We could challenge for the top 4 again if we keep our best players, add one or two additional top players and also add some depth.

Title? Not a bloody chance. I think we've done really well and it barely feels like we've lost this season, yet Man Utd are 21 points ahead of us. That's 7 additional wins! I don't know where the bloody hell they've all came from but it is what it is.

To challenge for the title, you literally have to be expected to win EVERY game, home and away, and we're just nowhere near that level.

Edit: His first point in the article is just totally wrong. If anything, teams like Chelsea and Liverpool with strengthen heavily with the huge financial backing they have. I fully expect next season to be a lot tougher.

 

Absolute Mackem-bait this is. We have no hope of challenging for the title and suggesting that we do is something I couldn't disagree with more - it's completely ridiculous. Thing is being 17 he was either in or barely out of the womb for most of the Keegan era and was probably too young during Robson to remember it that well. Some happy times and the lad is daring to dream, good on him.

 

I'll give you one abbreviation as to why you won't win or even challenge next season. ACON

 

That's an acronym

 

Whe were in the bottom half next season that **** that wrote the famous OH dear looks like the championship next year will rise from his couldren and come this back in our faces for sure.

 

Ney way challenging for the title.

TBH I can't see anyone competing with City and Manure for the title unless they get some serious investment.

Best we can really aim for in the next few years is 3rd IMO.

We'll need 4-5 quality players to truly beat Arsenal though. They have Wilshere coming back, plus they're getting the likes of Podolski and quite likely Hazard.

Arsenal play the same set up as us but they're better at it when full strength and they have better players in most positions, or they will have by next season.