Wins like yesterday mean so much, and it’s a true joy to watch a Newcastle side be so rampant against a really good Spurs team. It’s further evidence that this group still has plenty of quality and desire, even when our squad is so depleted.
That was the first time that Isak, Gordon and Barnes have started together, and they looked electric. They’ll be playing together a lot more next season, and when you add another forward or two to the mix, it’ll become a serious forward line.
This side have come under a lot of unfair criticism (in my eyes) this season, especially given the context of the injuries, extra fixtures, and sheer bad luck we’ve faced this season.
I get called a ‘happy clapper’ a lot, or that I don’t ever criticise the team. I’ve criticised the areas that felt worthy of criticism (some of the tactical flaws, how we’ve dealt with injuries, lack of top-level experience in the squad etc.), and perhaps because I do it less aggressively, it doesn’t always come across.
But largely, I’ve felt that this team still has performed very well given the circumstances – and although there have been some poor performances, they deserve credit in what has been a gruelling season.
I’ve felt that this team has deserved some slack given the circumstances. And certainly when heart, desire and Howe’s acumen start to get questioned, it’s frustrating – because I know the majority of those accusations are false. Results like yesterday prove that.
This side still has some way to go, but even given our injury list, we still find ourselves in a great position for Europe. It’s been a good season to be completely honest, and we’ve got a final push to make it a great one if we can finish 6th, or even 5th – who knows.
This team is heading in the right direction, and hopefully with more availability next season, and some new players, we can start to cement ourselves as one of the top Premier League sides.
It’ll be a long process, but I have no doubts we’re on the right track. This is a long project, and the more patient we are, and the more we back this group – the more frequent results like yesterday’s will become.
