Jamaal Lascelles has warned Newcastle United to ‘make sure’ they secure all six points in their next two Premier League games. Otherwise, they may struggle to qualify for Europe.
The Magpies have endured a drop in form since the turn of the year to damage the club’s hopes of UEFA football next season. Eddie Howe had the Toon sitting second in the table on Boxing Day. But Newcastle now only rank in sixth place, albeit still with games in hand.
Newcastle ended 2022 ranked in third with 34 points after 17 matches from nine wins and seven draws. But since New Year’s Day, the Magpies have only taken seven points in seven fixtures. Only Leeds United (6), Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth (5) have taken fewer.
Newcastle United lose ground in the race to qualify for a European competition
Results have ensured the Toon have fallen to sixth place with 41 points from 24 fixtures so far this term. But they are just four points worse off than Tottenham Hotspur in fourth and hold two games in hand. Liverpool in fifth have also played once more for one more point.
The Toon having games in hand on Tottenham and Liverpool has kept Howe’s squad in the mix for a Champions League berth. Newcastle will currently qualify for Europe through the Europa League in sixth. They last played in the Champions League proper back in 2002/03.
Newcastle were scheduled to play Brighton & Hove Albion on February 25. But the Premier League rescheduled the match in line with the Toon meeting Manchester United in the EFL Cup final. The Red Devils won 2-0 at Wembley as the Magpies’ stuttering form continued.
Newcastle took their only Premier League win in 2023 so far against Fulham on January 15. They beat the Cottagers 1-0 with one of just three goals Howe’s side have scored since the turn of the year. They also netted in 1-1 draws with West Ham United and Bournemouth.
When did the Magpies last qualify for a UEFA tournament?
Wolves will now look to see Newcastle reach six games without a top-flight win when they visit Tyneside this Sunday. The Toon then visit Nottingham Forest on March 17 before the international break. Manchester United will then make a trip to St James’ Park on April 4.
Beating Wolves and Nottingham Forest will be vital for Newcastle’s hopes of qualifying for a European competition, Lascelles feels. The Toon have not been in any UEFA tournament since reaching the Europa League quarter-finals under Alan Pardew in the 2012/13 season.
Lascelles told Chronicle Live: “The encouraging thing for me is that although we’ve had a little dip in the season, our performances in the Liverpool game with 10 men [and in] the final, there are positives to take with the chances and we could have stopped their goals.
“We’ve only lost to Liverpool and Man City [in the league]. So, we just need to make sure we get six points from our next two [games].
“We’ve got a great squad, we’ve got strength in every position and I like to think that it doesn’t matter how many changes are made, we’re still strong and our bench is really strong. It’s a good headache for the manager to have.”
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