The Magpies beat Derby County on Saturday to move into second place in the table.
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson has warned Newcastle United that this season will be a long and arduous one while speaking to the Chronicle.
The Magpies are expected to dominate the division this season after their work in the summer transfer window.
After two defeats in their first two games, they have found their feet with a win over Pearson’s Derby County, their fourth in a row, taking them up to second in the table.
There is now a feel good factor around St James’ Park again with hopes high for the campaign, but Pearson has warned that the season will be a tough one.
“I would fully expect them to be up there as front runners,” he told the Chronicle.
“But it’s a tough old season. It’s long and quite arduous so it always tests the resolve of players and everyone else associated with the club.”
It is likely that Pearson’s warning is one that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is giving to the squad himself.
He will have been highly encouraged by the efficient performances his team has been putting in of late but will be keen to ensure that they are not getting ahead of themselves.
The Championship is a league in which teams can quickly fall away and he will be preaching focus to try to ensure that does not happen to his side in the months ahead.
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