Stuart Pearce is convinced that Newcastle United are heading for promotion.
The former England favourite spent two years at St James’ Park and knows the special demands that surround his old club.
Rafa Benitez couldn’t hide his disappointment about the club’s failings during the January transfer window but can take comfort from being at the top of the table after 29 matches.
The remainder of the season is bound to contain set-backs and banana skins but Pearce is convinced that Newcastle are equipped to go up at the first time of asking.
“They have got the squad, which is probably the strongest squad in the league,” The Chronicle reported Pearce saying to Sky Sports.
“But it is an unforgiving league and you have got to keep going and keep going- 46 matches and it is a tough league to keep winning in – no easy games.
“However, I think that they have got the tools to get out of this league without a doubt – I think they will go up automatically.”
Failure to sign Andros Townsend from Crystal Palace was the biggest let down of the transfer window.
The England man was keen to return to Newcastle despite quitting the club at the start of the season to move to Palace.
Most of the detail seemed to be agreed but Newcastle refused to pay a loan fee on a deal that would have become permanent if Newcastle won promotion to the Premier League.