Expectations are high at St James’ Park this coming season. There’s no doubt about it. The revolution is half a season old and the first full season will almost certainly allow the Toon Army to not even think about relegation fights.
Full back Kieran Trippier has already spoken out on expectations for the season and told The Mirror, “For sure we don’t want to be in a relegation fight”. And we’d hope not. But what are the St James’ faithful passing as a good season this time out?
Trippier is suggesting “top half minimum”, and it’s perhaps difficult to disagree on that. It would certainly be progress.
And it’s progress that is key here, both on the pitch and off it. There’s no doubt that under Mike Ashley the club was neglected, so in fact a bit of love and attention will go a long way in the first instance.
In terms of league position, it’s just a case of allowing the squad to gel and improve on last term. Look at recent takeovers and it took the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea a few years to become the powerhouses they are. So patience is key.
The bookies are certainly expecting just the top half finish. A foray into the top six is a possibility, and if you’re feeling particularly brave there are some pretty good offers out there to back the club for a top six finish. The SBK sign-up offer is certainly an option and they’re pricing the Magpies at 9/4 to finish top score with every side above them in the market odds-on. However, could Arsenal or Manchester United slip up? There’s a possibility, particularly with the latter.
It’s a tough pack to chase though and perhaps that seventh spot is where the more ambitious of fans can look to, especially with the strengthening at the back Eddie Howe has done.
As a minimum, it’s perhaps towards the cup competitions we could be looking. Silverware would be a real step forward, or even a lengthy run in a competition. The League Cup looks a good cup to target and end Manchester City’s monopoly on the competition (albeit Liverpool managed that last term), while a trip to Wembley in the FA Cup could certainly add to a season’s success whether that be in the Semi Final or Final.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to disagree with the England full back, and it’s perhaps more about finishing above the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Leicester that may determine what success looks like. Place the division into mini-leagues and that feels like who the club are competing with outside the top six, while comfortably surpassing the likes of Southampton, Aston Villa and Everton is a must.
Of course, business is far from done yet, with Howe eyeing up a few more faces to come in, including Burnley’s Maxwel Cornet and even rumours of a few Chelsea stars. That could accelerate progress, but after well over a decade in the dark, good attacking football, a top half finish and some good progress in the cups would lay the foundations to really build from and start challenging in the coming years. And what fan wouldn’t want that?
My expectations.
in 2022 our form puts us in CL position
Will this continue probably not.
However, looking at the CL positions City with Haarland are winning comfortably.
Liverpool will come good and qualify but they need extra energy in Midfield as Milner Henderson are past it.
Chelsea are not yet a unit. Spurs look like they did last year. overly reliant on Kane and Son
Arsenal however have appeared to have stepped up a notch.
So City, Liverpool and Arsenal 1 2 3 with
US, Chelsea and Spurs 4-6
Brighton best of the rest. 7th
Nobody else to worry about.
So yes, Cl a possibility but Europa more likely.
PremAndUp(Quote)