Journalist Dean Jones believes that Newcastle United can challenge for a top-six finish this season.
After spending £90m during the first window under the new ownership back in January, the Toon invested a further £123m to strengthen their squad this summer.
So far, they have reaped the rewards with a fine start to the campaign that has left Eddie Howe’s side firmly inside the top half of the table.
The club will play six more games before the season is put on hold for the World Cup.
Fixtures against Chelsea and Tottenham in that period will be a great indicator as to how high the north-east club can finish, and Jones is of the impression that they can mount a strong challenge for Europe.
He told GiveMeSport: “I think the league is wide open, the structure of the traditional order is unsettled at the moment and that’s opened the door for Newcastle at the perfect time because they’ve invested a load of cash, they’ve bought sensibly, they’ve put a team together really cleverly, and I think they look genuine contenders at the moment for the top six.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments about Newcastle United…
Will Newcastle finish inside the top six?
Yes!
No!
It appears that Jones’ confidence in Newcastle is well-placed, with the Magpies since gaining a point at Old Trafford this weekend.
Given the fact that the Tynesiders have also managed to hold champions Manchester City this season and were beaten in the last kick of the game by Liverpool, they have certainly proved their ability.
They remain unbeaten at home, and turning St James’ Park into a fortress could well lay the foundations for a European push.
Wins over Nottingham Forest and Brentford have come either side of three successive draws, and with Everton, Aston Villa and Chelsea all to come before the mid-season break, they will perhaps fancy themselves to take enough points to leave themselves in a promising position heading into the hiatus.