Newcastle did brilliantly last season to finish in the top half.
After a string of great results, they managed to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Come the end of the season, Rafa Benitez’s side were 10th, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
This season, it’s much more unlikely that we’ll finish in the top half.
The teams in the middle of the pack have invested and got a lot better, while the likes of Wolves have had a seamless transition from the Championship to the Premier League.
But while finishing 11th is most likely the best we can do, the Magpies can still beat last season’s points tally.
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Newcastle have a chance to get more than 44 points
After beating Leicester, Newcastle have 38 points. With four games to go, Newcastle can reach a maximum of 50. However, that would mean beating title chasers Liverpool in the final home game of the season.
While that game will be incredibly tough, our other three games are nowhere near as daunting.
Southampton are next up, and both teams have done well to move away from the relegation zone. It’s a game that could go either way.
After that it’s Brighton, and the Seagulls are on a wretched run of form.
Then after the Liverpool game, we end the season with a trip to already relegated Fulham. There is a good chance we can pick up three wins from our remaining four games. That would see us end with 47 points, beating last year’s tally by three points.
That would be a tremendous achievement, considering the fact that so many teams have improved this season.
With limited investment, Benitez’s class has shown. Just imagine where we could be if Mike Ashley backed him financially.