Newcastle are now mathematically safe from relegation and have 9 games to secure a CL place for next season and for the first time this season, I think we can do it. We're 10 points inside of 7th which will mean qualifying for the Europa Conference, so I think that's almost guaranteed now as a minimum.
The turnaround has been almost off the scale since we appointed Eddie Howe.
He had to remove Longstaff from the game yesterday to get the points so hopefully we’ll not see him too often although I wouldn’t bet on it. Also, Burn was garbage again and shouldn’t start against Villa next weekend but he probably will. Playing those two is the only real problems I have with Howe as neither are good enough and we’ll be much better without them unless they’re covering injuries to others.
Our remaining games are Villa away which could go either way as they’re doing really well so will feel confident of doing well against us but I don’t see a lot in them to worry about.
That’s followed by Spurs at home which I’m confident about as we usually do reasonably well against them, hopefully they’ll not have the referee and VAR as their 12th and 13th man.
Everton away which we should win because they can’t score goals and look soft at the back and Pickford doesn’t play well against us, usually. They might crumble if we can get at them from the first whistle.
Southampton at home which is a possible banana skin but I don’t think we’re the team to lose those games now, I guess playing them 3 days after Everton might give us something of a problem.
Arsenal at home which I’m currently not concerned about but will have a better idea closer to the game, they crumbled last season when they came to St James’ and needed to win to qualify for the Champions League and we beat them 2-0 and they were terrible.
Leeds away should probably be an away win as we have a reasonable record against them and they’re not very good.
Leicester at home should be a home win as we beat them 3-0 away and have already beaten them at home 2-0 in the League Cup, they have absolutely no confidence and look as if they’re going to appoint a poor manager to replace Rogers.
Chelsea away which might be a tough game if they start scoring as they have some very good players.
Our other game is Brighton at home which is not scheduled yet, it will be a tough game for both teams.