ESPN pundit Steve Nicol believes that the pressure could well get too much for Newcastle United as they push for a place in the top four.
Newcastle have certainly been the surprise package of the season as they currently sit second in the Premier League table after 16 games – a run which has seen them only lose one game.
The Magpies are now seriously looking like genuine top-four contenders and even have an outside chance of pushing for their first-ever Premier League title, with Nicol believing only pressure can now get the better of Eddie Howe’s side.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol thinks the only thing stopping Newcastle from getting in the top four is if they fail to cope with the increased amounts of pressure that their success will bring.
He said: “Right now, there’s no pressure on them.
“If you think of Leicester – I’m not sure if it was last year or the year before – they found themselves in third place, really comfortable and blew it. The pressure just got too much for them.
Will Newcastle finish in the top four?
Yes!
No!
“So I would suggest the only thing that stands in Newcastle’s way of not being in the top four is if, towards the end of the season, they start looking at the table and start thinking about it and then the pressure starts building.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s top-four hopes…
Given Newcastle have not played Champions League football since the 2003/04 season, it could well be that as the season starts to enter the business end, some players could start to feel the pressure and the expectations of such a football-mad city and fanbase.
However, Newcastle’s squad is littered with international stars such as Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier, so they will be big characters who can certainly handle the pressure – especially the latter.
This is because Trippier has been part of a title-winning side in the past when he played for Atletico Madrid and will be able to pass on words of advice and ensure that his teammates are kept focused.