A possibility?Newcastle United’s current 6th place Premier League position with 2/3rds of the season gone raises the possibility – albeit an outside one – of European qualification, but how will we cope if that happens?
I think it’s fair to say that Newcastle United have exceeded most people’s expectations so far this season. There are still 13 games left this season, which is plenty time for things to collapse in a heap of course, but – as I write – we’re currently 6th, 3 points clear of Liverpool in 7th and just 1 point behind Arsenal and Chelsea in 4th and 5th respectively.
You can credit our lofty position to Pardew, the team or even Ashley, or you can call it blind luck and quantum silliness if you like. But we are where we are and with cracks in Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season you might have at least one eye on the possibility that we might qualify for Europe.
We’re not completely safe from below. Liverpool – cracks notwithstanding – are still a threat and both Everton and the Mackems have been charging up the table recently while Norwich have gone quietly about the business of finding themselves the 8th spot at the moment.
So we certainly we can’t count our chickens before we’re sure they’ll fit through the eye of a needle, but it would be a very pessimistic supporter indeed who hasn’t once wondered if would might just edge into a European spot this season, even if it’s just that Europa League thingy, which could stretch as far as 6th or 7th depending on where teams like Chelsea and Liverpool finish and how they do in the domestic cup competitions. (more…)
Europe in a year?New Newcastle United midfield Yohan Cabaye talks about Europe and how other new recruits will be joining him during this transfer window.
New recruit Yohan Cabaye seems generally impressed with things at Newcastle and hopes we’ll be in Europe within a year. In a recent interview he said:
“I am going to play in the best championship in the world for a club who want to get back into Europe within a year and one who are building an ambitious team.”
He is talking about Newcastle isn’t he? Just thought I’d check.
He then goes on to suggest that he’s just the first of many signings the club has planned for this transfer window, saying:
“I am the first recruit but I have discussed things with manager Alan Pardew and I know others will follow. The directors have assured me on this point.” (more…)
Should we aim for Europe this season?Newcastle United are moving up the table and a European spot is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility, but is that what we really need?
After our great win at the expense of Birmingham on Tuesday night – a win that solidified our top 10 position and applied a little extra pressure on the teams above us, not least Bolton (our next home game) and the wearysiders, who are now within gobbin’ distance – it seems some fans are starting to turn their febrile minds towards the possibility of a return to European football action, via the ‘Europa League’.
Whilst that would undoubtedly expand, not only the coffers at Barrack Road, but the profile of the club once more, it would also give the fans some great away days and bragging rights.
But, is that what we really need right now?
After all, when we cast our minds back just a little, most saw this season as a NEW START for the club and, as such, would be happy with survival in the Premiership. Obviously others would beg to differ. (more…)