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2 months ago
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The BBC Sport main man has been asked to reassess the chances of Newcastle United making top four and qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Phil McNulty is the chief football writer at BBC Sport and ahead of each season, he gives his considered opinion on the 20 clubs contesting the upcoming campaign.
Back in mid-August before the first round of Premier League matches, McNulty gave his 2024/25 predictions (see below) and explained why he thought Newcastle United would finish in his grand scheme of forecasts.
The BBC Sport man didn’t predict top four for Newcastle United this season.
Phil McNulty didn’t think Eddie Howe’s team would end up in the top six.
Nor top eight…
The BBC Sport chief football writer predicting this would be the finishing order in the 2024/25 season:
Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Villa, Man U, Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham, Newcastle United
So, the BBC Sport journalist predicting ninth this season for Newcastle United.
However, in a Q and A session on Monday, Phil McNulty was asked the question after Newcastle’s win at Wolves put them third in the table on ten points from a possible twelve: ‘Do you believe Newcastle’s early season form, even without playing at their best, suggests they are strong Champions League contenders again this season?’
Phil McNulty replying with this on BBC Sport – 16 September 2024:
“It has been an excellent start for Eddie Howe’s team and while I think the top three places will still be Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool (in that order), I do still think there is an opportunity for fourth for the chasing pack – and while I picked Newcastle to finish ninth they can still force their way in there.
“There has been lots of talk about what Newcastle haven’t got after a disappointing transfer window when sporting director Paul Mitchell failed to deliver Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi or any other key signings, but it is also well worth remembering they still have some very fine players.
“Alexander Isak is a high-class striker while Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes – who has produced real touches of class to score against Spurs and Wolves – provide genuine quality out wide.
“The return of Sandro Tonali from suspension is also an upgrade for last season’s squad, when he missed most of the campaign.
“I still have Newcastle as outsiders to make the top four, I have a fancy for Aston Villa, but there is absolutely no reason why they should not set their sights on it because there is a little gap in that particular market.”
The reality of course is that the final Premier League table isn’t decided by BBC Sports journalists or indeed football fans.
The more positive things that Phil McNulty is saying now about certain Newcastle United strengths, was just as true back in mid-August when he made his predictions. Who knows what will happen but I thought it was a bit laughable to have Newcastle down in ninth.
The three performances have been in and out so far in terms of some decent spells and some great moments of quality in creating and scoring goals, after battling to that superb opening day with 10 men for 73 minutes against Southampton.
The big question of course is after 10 points from a possible 12 when playing indifferently but battling so well to get this start, can Eddie Howe and his players now start to get more control of games, start to impose their quality on the opposition for more minutes, rather than starting and finishing matches well but losing the plot a bit in the middle of games?
The Premier League table on Tuesday morning:
The BBC Sport chief football writer’s predicted 2024/25 final table and then the explanation on Newcastle United from Phil McNulty – 14 August 2024:
Man City
Arsenal
Liverpool
Villa
Man U
Tottenham
Chelsea
West Ham
Newcastle United
Palace
Everton
Brighton
Fulham
Bournemouth
Wolves
Forest
Brentford
Southampton
Leicester
Ipswich
‘9. Newcastle
Last season: Seventh
Strange summer at Newcastle United, with churn backstage caused by the departure of Amanda Staveley from the boardroom and the arrival of Paul Mitchell as sporting director following Dan Ashworth’s move to Manchester United.
The European football Newcastle thought they had was taken away by Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City, while profit and sustainability rules (PSR) meant the reluctant sales of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton respectively.
And then came the revelation that the departure of last season’s star man and England winger Anthony Gordon to Liverpool had even been discussed to raise funds until other players left.
Throw in the speculation linking manager Eddie Howe with England and it has hardly been plain sailing on Tyneside.
However, if Newcastle can get a deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, arguably England’s best player at Euro 2024, over the line then the club and the Toon Army will feel a lot better about themselves.
Top 10 but still some uncertainty at Newcastle United.’

 
