After their impressive 4-1 victory over fellow relegation rivals Wolves on Saturday, Newcastle United have moved one step closer to Premier League survival in their first season back in the top flight. The Magpies find themselves sitting 9th in the table – a healthy seven points clear of the trapdoor with seven games remaining. While safety is undoubtedly the paramount objective, there is still the potential of European football. Is this a realistic prospect for Newcastle, or is it a bridge too far for the Toon Army?
It’s only four days since club owner Mike Ashley came out and stated his ambition to consolidate Newcastle’s position in the top ten year after year. Ashley expects the team to be challenging for European football on a consistent basis and only time will tell if his wish comes to fruition. I personally feel that this season is not one in which Newcastle should be considering the possibility of European football – as the number one priority is still to secure the club’s Premier League status. Let’s just say that hypothetically Newcastle did defy the odds and qualify for Europe this season, would the demands of European football be welcomed by the fans? Of course they would, what fan wouldn’t want to see their team in Europe, but would the impact of the consequences prove to be detrimental?
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It’s a well known fact that the league form of clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United has suffered in the past the following Saturday after European nights. So I would suggest that Newcastle would be even more prone to feeling the demands that are attached with European action. It should also be pointed out that the Champions League and the Europa League that Newcastle would find themselves in, differ somewhat in terms of the calibre of opposition. However, the fact remains the burn out factor is still viable. Birmingham City may not have been in European competition this season but their Carling Cup campaign is a similar example, and one that could be viewed as a contributing cause to their poor league form this term.
This season is all about Newcastle re-establishing themselves as a Premier League club and in my view Europe is only a very slim possibility and one that I feel would be a poisoned chalice. In the summer months Newcastle can spend some of the war chest from the Andy Carroll transfer and then look towards building a team with plenty of strength in depth that is capable of pushing for a European spot next year. Newcastle’s remaining fixtures will ultimately determine where the club finish this season and with the inconsistent form that has encapsulated this season for the Toon, a mid table finish would be a good accomplishment. What makes European football even more inconceivable is the team still have to pit their wits against Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Taking all the points that have been raised into consideration I think Newcastle fans will all be happy with a respectable mid table position this season. Most will side with me in agreement that Europe is not only a very unlikely scenario, but at this stage in the club’s rebuilding process it would prove to be a stumbling block that the club could do without. Having said this, in the future there is the prospect of some great European nights at St James’ Park given the right investment and stable foundations which the club has previously lacked for as long as I can remember.
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