A Newcastle United win on Good Friday would lift them temporarily to just two points off fourth.
It will be easier said that done, but a win for Newcastle United this weekend really will get supporters dreaming.
For after that, Newcastle have a good run of games which can shape an unlikely success story.
After the Swansea game, Newcastle host relelgation battlers Bolton, then mid-table Stoke, before a trip to Wigan.
From those games, the Magpies should target a maximum nine points out of nine. Anything less would be seen as points dropped, and would likely end their chances of finishing fourth.
The club should think positive- their form in their last three- beating Norwich, West Brom and Liverpool- was superb, and those games were more difficult on paper than the upcoming Bolton, Stoke and Wigan clashes.
Which makes getting a result at Swansea even more important, as it could lead to a potential seven wins in a row.
Of course we are getting ahead of ourselves a little here, Newcastle have a penchant for the unpredictable, but over the course of the season, Alan Pardew’s side have been a far more consistent team than any of the teams to grace St James Park in recent years. That is why the sit pretty at sixth in the Premier League.
The Swansea game will be tough. The Swans have been, along with Newcastle, the Premier League’s surprise package, and currently sit in 11th place in the league table, but they will be pushing for a top 10 finish.
Their home record is very good, losing just three at the Liberty Stadium, and conceding just 12 goals there all season. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm has along with Newcastle’s Tim Krul, been one of the performers of the season.
But if, Newcastle can go there and win, they can unlock the gates to a sustained charge at the top four.
It is easier to chase than to be in the position looking over your shoulder, as both Tottenham and Arsenal have found out of late, and with both North London clubs locked in their own high-pressure battle to outdo each other, form dictates that both will drop points.
Matches against relegation candidates -Wigan and Bolton- will be tough, as they also will have everything to play for, but Newcastle should expect wins. By the time April is over, if Newcastle have got 12 points out of 12, they will be in a very good position for the final three matches of the season.
These will be far tougher. They travel to Chelsea, a match which will likely dictate who finishes higher, and they will have to overcome their London away blues. The only positive here is that Chelsea could well have so many distractions with the Champions League and the FA Cup, that Newcastle may just be the fresher side.
Then they host Manchester City, tough on paper, but then you consider City’s poor away form which has seen them lose their grip at the top of the table. If the title race is over with two games to go, then the match may just favour Newcastle.
On the final day? A trip to Everton. That could be the toughest of the lot, but it could also depend on the Toffees FA Cup involvement.
First things first though, Newcastle need to deal with Swansea on Friday. If they can win there, then they should dare to make dreams become reality.
image: © nyaa birdies perch
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
