Newcastle United can win the Premier League title in the next four years according to Garth Crooks.
The Magpies are enjoying a strong start to the 2022/23 season, are are in sixth place after nine games. Eddie Howe’s side have lost just once, and have now scored nine goals in their last two fixtures.
Everything appears to be clicking into gear at the moment for Newcastle. If things continue to go in the right direction, there is a chance they could qualify for Europe next season.
That would be a huge achievement, and a real testament to the players and the work of Howe and his staff. However, that is still a long way away. Most fans are not expecting miracles over night and are simply just enjoying the good times right now after so much misery.
However, BBC Sport pundit Crooks is already making bold predictions about the Magpies.
Crooks on Newcastle winning the title
Following the conclusion of this week’s Premier League fixtures, Crooks has released his team of the week. It includes Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron.
The 64-year-old also takes time to look at Newcastle’s first year under new ownership, and makes a very big claim.
“However, what has taken place since the arrival of Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben at St James’ Park has been nothing short of remarkable,” he wrote.
“It started with the astute appointment of Eddie Howe, followed by the arrival of the former Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth.
“There have also been the signings of a number of carefully selected players who haven’t cost a fortune, at least at modern-day prices, and are there for the long haul. What is most impressive is the owners have got on with the business of running the club quietly and effectively.
“At this rate a Premier League title is not out of the question in four years. What a prospect.”
Walk before we can run
Crooks makes a few good points. The appointments by the new owners have been good. Newcastle now have a strong trio of leaders calling the shots – Howe, Dan Ashworth and Darren Eales (who wasn’t mentioned by Crooks).
Recruitment has also been excellent, in particular the arrival of Bruno. He is the one player who the football world are raving about at the moment, while Toon fans enjoy watching him week after week.
But then Crooks goes and spoils it all by saying something stupid like the Magpies can win the Premier League in four years.
In one sense, he is correct. If we remain in the Premier League for the next four years, winning it is not out of the question. But in the same way that it isn’t out of the question for the other 19 teams involved.
Who knows where Newcastle will be in four years. Could we really be title contenders? Anything can happen, I guess.
But while Crooks might want to get carried away by saying something outlandish, Toon fans will remain realistic.
Just finishing top half this season will be seen as progress. As long as we’re getting better year after year, the project is going in the right direction.
The eventual goal is to be challenging at the top, but the prospect of that is still in the distant future. A couple of wins over Fulham and Brentford have not turned us into Premier League title contenders.
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