- Newcastle drew 1-1 against Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday
- The Magpies are sixth in the table, but Chelsea and Man United are close behind
- Erik ten Hag has ‘lost the plot’ in ‘CAR-CRASH’ head coaching role at Man United – Listen to the It all starts! podcast
If Newcastle are to retain and attract the top-level players they so desperately want, this week will go a long way in determining their chances of doing so.
It was telling when Kieran Trippier told us, after the disappointing home game with Brighton: ‘Throughout my career, since I went to Tottenham, I’ve been in Europe, whether it’s the Europa League or the Champions League. With the way the club is doing, it should be in Europe and competing at the top of the Premier League.”
The very best players rarely complete seasons outside European competition. As it stands, Newcastle need to win their last two games to be sure of that.
That they are both away from home – where they have won just five times all season – suggests the odds are now against them. That’s why St James’ Park felt full-time on Saturday, after a game in which last-ball inconsistency reinforced the need for quality signings in the attacking areas.
However, that caliber of players can only come if there is the promise of continental competition. Wednesday’s trip to direct competitor Manchester United is ‘huge’ according to Trippier.
Kieran Trippier says Newcastle are a club that should play European football
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But he also uses the same word to describe the magnitude of achievement should they achieve their goal, given the turbulence of a campaign rocked by injuries and Sandro Tonali’s suspension.
“When you look at the progression of the season – the setbacks, the ups and downs – it’s incredible to be in the position we’re in,” he said. ‘Europe is huge, and it would be a huge achievement to achieve that.
‘We have a great team. If the team had been fully fit, it would have been a different season. Our injuries were ridiculous. At one point we had 12/13 players out.”
Against Brighton, Callum Wilson’s absence due to muscle soreness meant there was no replacement for top scorer Alexander Isak as he withdrew due to illness in the 68th minute. A lack of options off the bench has hampered Eddie Howe all season. At one point he named three goalkeepers among his substitutes.
“There are ups and downs throughout the season, but what the manager has done for individuals at this club is nothing short of remarkable,” Trippier said. “He has a 49 percent win rate, which is incredible.
‘We are ahead of schedule, you have to respect that. But that comes with expectation and pressure, and we players have to deal with that. But we have the right manager who gives us that never-say-die mentality.”
They will need that this week if they want to keep their European ambitions alive.
