Kevin Keegan thinks Newcastle will go up this season – but anticipates a tough campaign next year.
Kevin Keegan
Newcastle United hero Kevin Keegan has told the Shields Gazette that he thinks the Magpies will win promotion this season, but admitted that the Premier League is ‘tough’.
Rafael Benitez’s men have faced a tough run of games of late, as recent opponents Brighton, Huddersfield Town and Reading are all in the top five of the Championship table – but Newcastle have navigated the run almost perfectly.
Wins away at Brighton and Huddersfield were followed up with a 0-0 draw at Reading on Tuesday night, leaving Newcastle three points clear at the top of the Championship table.
Newcastle are in the box seat for promotion back to the Premier League, and are favourites to win the title ahead of second-placed Brighton and the chasing pack.
After such a disappointing campaign last season, fans will simply be pleased to have the winning feeling back again, and club hero Kevin Keegan has now offered his thoughts.
Keegan, who hit 49 goals in 85 games for Newcastle, then started and ended his managerial career with the Magpies, with his first spell seeing the club challenge at the top of the Premier League table.
Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie celebrates with Daryl Murphy
Newcastle are some way off that right now, but Keegan has told the Shields Gazette that he’s predicting a league title win for Benitez and the Magpies this season.
Keegan suggested that Newcastle will get back where they belong, but as the club found last season, the top flight is ‘tough’ – and Keegan hopes that the club and the support are big enough to consolidate a Premier League place.
“Football means so much in this region,” said Keegan. “It’s so important that they get back in the Premier League, and I think they’ll do that this year. They’ll win the league and they’ll get back to where they belong. And then it’s tough, but it’s a big enough club to carry it and it’s got all this fantastic support,” he added.
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