Newcastle United have reacted well to life in the Coca-Cola Championship, shaking off accusations that they are 'The New Leeds'. Following an embarassing relegation from the Barclays Premier League last season, many thought the club would struggle to keep hold of it's best players and fall further down the Football League ladder.
But here we are. Now in November, and Newcastle are top of the Championship with 30 points from the first 15 games, and have managed to retain a number of the club's best players from last season. A side boasting the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Nicky Butt, Alan Smith, Steve Harper, Jonas Gutierrez, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini should surely be alien to a league below that of the Premier League.
Even branding a team 'The New Leeds' is becoming less insulting, as the Elland Road club are once again knocking on the Championship door, as they lead Coca-Cola League One by an impressive seven points. Things are looking up for the Toon.
But the Championship season is a more of a hard slog. There are 46 games to be played in all, only 15 have been played. Newcastle have already lost three games - all away - to Blackpool, Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe United. On top of that, a number of unconvincing performances - like the home win over Doncaster Rovers. Only the one demolition job - 4-0 on the road to and awful Ipswich side. I have seen little to distinguish Newcastle from their Championship counterparts.
There is an enormous amount of work to be done. I don't think Newcastle United are a Premier League side in the Championship. The big stadium can be deceiving. The big fan base and big name players are even more deceiving. Judge a club on their performances and results. At the moment, things look good - but the Christmas period will be a testing time, as Newcastle's small squad do battle with a frantic fixture list. January is perhaps even more threatening with question marks over the 'Big Names' leaving the club for more immediate Premier League football.
Lets not count our chickens before they've hatched. Newcastle for the Premier League - wait and see.
A wellput together blog - nice work.
ReplyDeleteI think the Christmas period (mainly with the transfer window opening) will be the real test for the Toon.
If Newcastle United can keep the momentum - which they can do from time to time - we are looking at a side that can be safe in the top division.
Roll on Christmas, we got a lot to review then.