The Premier League is now taking an unprecedented break for the World Cup, meaning Newcastle‘s sensational momentum is being put on hold.
With 15 games played, the Magpies are third in the league and have only lost once. We look like genuine top four contenders at the moment, and solidified our place there at the weekend.
Eddie Howe’s side finished the first half of the Premier League campaign in a big way. His team made it five wins in a row and 11 unbeaten in all competitions by beating Chelsea 1-0.
A ‘big six’ club arrived at St James’ Park, and they were taught a lesson by little old Newcastle thanks to Joe Willock’s screamer.
Sadly, it is the last time we will see Newcastle in competitive action until just before Christmas. The Magpies’ next domestic game will be just days after the World Cup final when Bournemouth arrive on Tyneside.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
It’s such a shame that Howe’s men won’t play for so long, but how do those inside the club feel about the Premier League’s hiatus?
Premier League pausing at the ‘worst possible time’ for Newcastle
A new report from the Athletic has provided information on how Newcastle feel internally about the World Cup forcing the Premier League to take a break.
They report that people within St James’ Park have admitted that the break is coming at the worst possible time.
And they’re not wrong.
Momentum is huge in football, and we are now at risk of losing it. Will we be able to play this well when the Premier League resumes next month? Perhaps teams will have sussed us out.
And there is the added issue of players going to the World Cup and returning tired or, even worse, injured. That is a problem for every club, but it is something that could have a major impact on Newcastle’s season.
It has been a perfect start to the campaign for Howe. There have been injury problems, but he couldn’t really ask for much more from his players on the pitch.
They have delivered, and put Newcastle in a position where they could feasibly qualify for next season’s Champions League. However, that will all depend on whether or not the Magpies can pick up where they left off.
Only time will tell.