Newcastle United are in a fantastic position to gain promotion back to the Premier League.
Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles celebrates with Isaac Hayden
Magpies midfielder Isaac Hayden spoke to reporters ahead of his side’s huge clash with Ipswich Town tomorrow, and shared his opinion that winning the Championship title is still very important to the squad, suggesting that a second place finish would leave a sour taste, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
The Toon currently sit in second position in the table, four points adrift of league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion, but more importantly as far as their promotion hopes are concerned, eight points clear of third placed Huddersfield Town.
And the 22-year-old highlighted how much it will mean for his side to finish the season as Championship title winners, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
“Finishing first always matters, doesn’t it? As much as you want to say it doesn’t matter or promotion is the main thing, and of course it is, but I think there will be a little bit of a sour taste if we weren’t to go on and win the title.”
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
His manager didn’t subscribe to that train of thought, however, telling reporters:
“Going up in second? That would be fine with me.”
Despite the odd blip here and there, Newcastle have impressed on the most part this season, and their squad looks to be the most well-equipped to compete in the Premier League out of any of the Championship clubs currently vying for promotion.
Depending on other results, the Magpies could theoretically secure promotion back to the top flight with two wins in their next two games against Ipswich and Preston North-End respectively.
And if they manage that, the campaign will surely go down as a success, irrelevant of whether they finish in second or first place.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benítez
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
