Newcastle United have bounced straight back from last season’s relegation, clinching an automatic promotion place from the Championship.
The Magpies defeated Sheffield United in front of their fans at St James’ Park, but it was Nottingham Forest’s failure to beat Cardiff that guaranteed their promotion.
There were fears at the end of last season that Newcastle might spiral downwards in the same way as other former Premier League giants, but manager Chris Hughton has ensured a safe return to the top echelon of English football.
As always, some outspoken fans have already been quoted as saying that their club is back where they belong, and will be expecting a top half finish next year. However, others appear to be more realistic, calling for the club to strengthen the squad and to ensure the focus is on staying up.
What do you think? Can Newcastle challenge the top teams like they once did? Or do you expect them to struggle like some newly-promoted sides?
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Newcastle already have some established Premier League players in their squad. The likes of Kevin Nolan, Argentine international Jonas Gutierrez and Shola Ameobi will help their cause. It’ll be interesting to see how their traditional achilles heel, their defence, copes with life in the higher league. Also, striker Andy Carroll may be touted as one of the next big things but how will he fare in the Premier League? Newcastle can probably expect better than to merely be involved in a relegation battle but like all newly promoted sides, their first priority should be to reach the 40 point mark. If the Magpies have a good start to the season, it’ll be difficult to keep their fans’ high expectations in check.
Newcastle have been far and away the best team this year and can still have a huge say in the race for the play offs with games against Blackpool and Reading still to come. If Reading win at Cardiff tomorrow they will be right in the mix.