Gary Neville believes the approach taken by Newcastle’s new owners has been “really unexpected”, praising the “measured” recruitment when so many expected big-name arrivals on and off the pitch.
After the Saudi PIF took over from Mike Ashley, the Sky Sports pundit expected “razmataz and star players”, but feels we’ve benefited from bringing in “solid characters” who’ve created a real positive atmosphere around the club.
Speaking after our 2-1 win over Forest, he accepted his surprise at how well we’ve done this season, believing we’d finish ‘seventh or eighth.’ However, after back-to-back wins and a well deserved victory on Friday, he feels we’ve dragged Man Utd back into a top four battle, feeling their task will be made tougher now they’re still in the Europa League and FA Cup. Beat them at St James’ Park in two weeks time and we will go above Ten Hag’s side.
He reckons the big test will be how we handle the pressure in our next 10 games, feeling Liverpool, Spurs and his former club all have more experience and know-how in this situation. Still, Neville insists we have a “great chance” of sealing Champions League football after an “outstanding season.” Read his quotes on our new owners and to top four hopes below:
“Chelsea, Tottenham Liverpool, other clubs have had majorly disappointing seasons. We had Newcastle nowhere near the top four at the start of the season.
“What I like about Newcastle since the new ownership has come in is it’s been a really unexpected transition. They’ve been quite measured in the way they chose their manager and the way in which they’ve brought players in.
“There’s some really solid characters in that dressing room. That’s really important, but it could’ve gone the other way – I thought they’d have gone for razmataz and star players, but you can see there’s solid characters in the dressing room and they won’t get carried away.
“It’s whether they’ve got that experience when you go into those final five or six matches – Tottenham, Liverpool, and Man Utd have got that. So they’ve got to prove it over the these next 10 games, but they’ve got a great chance and are having an outstanding season.
“I’m stunned as to where they are this season. I thought they would be seventh or eighth. Well done to Eddie Howe, well done to the players, and it looks like they’ve just turned a corner.
“(Manchester) United have progressed in the Europa League and FA Cup – which makes it (the Premier League) more difficult for them, where as Newcastle have a clear run.
“They’ll also be without Casemiro in the next four matches which will make a big difference. Newcastle are now in a position where they can make a good push.“
