Newcastle United were one of the best teams in the first half of this season’s Premier League, so much so that there was talk about them being title contenders with leaders Arsenal and defending champions Manchester City.
In the previous few weeks, all that talk has faded because they hit a few bumps along the way and now find themselves in sixth position fighting for European football places for next season.
At the height of their form, Newcastle momentarily peaked in second, but a poor run of form where they have not won any of their last five Premier League matches has seen them drop down to sixth in the standings.
Now, manager Eddie Howe wants his players to step up and show their might in the two remaining matches before they leave for international duty after the weekend of March 19, 2023. Newcastle are up against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest in this period. While speaking to the media, Howe reiterated how vital these two matches are.
“Two big games because of where they are situated we got the international break afterwards we want to go into that break in a really good moment, we want to feel good going into that,” Howe said.
He added, “We are also running out of games, and the games are going to go quickly so the 14 left, that’s going to disappear. We need points.”
Newcastle had a busy summer transfer window recruiting a host of top players running on an unlimited budget backed by their Saudi owners, and this translated into them being in a top position at this stage of the season. They also reached the Carabao Cup final which they eventually lost to Manchester United.
Newcastle’s eyes now are set on European football next season, but their performance in the league will decide whether they will play in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League. If they do too poorly, they might lose out altogether as Liverpool, Fulham, Brentford, and Brighton and Hove Albion are playing with a European football spot on their mind.
Newcastle’s upcoming opponents Wolves and Forest are 13th and 14th on the table respectively.
