Kevin Nolan has a warning for Newcastle; comments on their promotion hopes

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Newcastle United are flying high in the Championship, but their former skipper has warned them to keep their feet on the ground.

Kevin Nolan has told The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT that was broadcast on December 15th 2016 that Newcastle United would be foolish to not expect a difficult time when they face Burton Albion this weekend, and suggested that they are going to be pushed all the way in the promotion race.

Rafael Benitez’s men have made an impressive start to life in the Championship. They currently top the table, and boast a nine point cushion over the team sat in third place.

After a slight blip, they appear to have got themselves back on track with an emphatic win over Birmingham being followed by a victory over Wigan in midweek.

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

But while those results may enhance the idea that Newcastle are certainties for three points against Burton, Nolan has suggested that they will not get an easy ride.

“They’re expected to [win] but I think it’s a much tougher job going to Burton because [of] the way Nigel Clough sets up and he knows the league,” he told talkSPORT.

“They don’t give anything away so it’s a much tougher job going to Burton at the weekend.”

The recent rocky patch left the door slightly open for their nearest rivals, Brighton and Hove Albion to close the gap at the top.

And Nolan added that he expects his former boss to push the Magpies close this term, but hinted that Benitez’s men should still win the race.

Kevin Nolan

“I think Brighton will push them all the way. Chris Hughton’s been there before. I was with Chris when we won the league a few years ago,” he added.

“But the thing is Rafa Benitez has got the buzz back at Newcastle.”

What should arguably give Newcastle fans a lot more confidence about their chances of returning to the Premier League is the fact that when they have had momentum, they have really made the most of it.

After a slow start, they then put six victories together and they want on to put together nine wins on the spin more recently. And another couple of runs like that will surely see them virtually put themselves across the line.