Ian Wright doesn’t think Newcastle United can secure a top-six finish in the Premier League this season, but he does think St James’ Park is now a ‘cool place to go’.
The legendary striker admitted that he didn’t expect Newcastle to be this ‘quick’ in their development, as he praised Eddie Howe for the club’s rise.
Over the weekend, the Magpies slapped Brentford 5-1 to move into the European places.
Since the turn of the year, Newcastle have made quite the transformation and the signs suggest that they will only grow.
If the club were to secure a comfortable top-ten finish this term, on top of showcasing a progressive style of play, then it all would have resulted in a thumbs-up from fans.
Now, that can still happen, but a top-six finish? Well, Wright has put his foot on the brake on that one for now, as he told Premier League Productions.
“We knew Newcastle with their owners and what they were going to do, that they were going to be in and around there,” said Wright.
“I can’t say I expected it to be as quick as it’s been. But I think Eddie has been shrewd with what he has done. He said himself with Guimaraes ‘we have really had a result’, that they are astounded by it and his ability.
“It seems like they are ready to go. They are getting to the place where people will say ‘that’s a cool place to go now’. That is what Newcastle are doing.
“I don’t see that yet because of the teams ahead of them. We haven’t mentioned Chelsea. I think with Graham Potter, things are going to happen because of how good of a coach he is. I think they have a long way to go to break into the six. They have a long way.”
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW
Newcastle have had two transfer windows under their new Saudi-led ownership and it’s fair to say that they have been outstanding.
It will be interesting to see, come the winter, if the club is in a strong position what they decide to do.
Will they push the boat out and go all out? Or will they just sit back, stay calm and let it unfold?
One thing is for sure, they have the money and power to seriously push for this top-six finish and upset a few people along the way.
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