Report: Where Newcastle owners privately want the club to finish this season

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Where will Newcastle finish this season? That is the golden questions for Toon fans after a bright start to the campaign.

After eight games, the Magpies are seventh in the Premier League. Eddie Howe’s side have only lost one game – and that was the controversial defeat to Liverpool back in August.

But Newcastle have been tough to beat, and finally flexed their attacking muscles last time out. They beat Fulham 4-1 at Craven Cottage, but were largely helped by Nathaniel Chalobah’s red card.

Regardless, performances in black and white have been good this season. Howe has got his side playing nice football, and we have proven we can be competitive up against the best sides in the country. The 3-3 draw with Manchester City was simply thrilling.

This is the first full season under new ownership, and it comes after PIF and co spent £123million in the summer transfer market. Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Nick Pope and the returning Matt Targett all arrived at St James’ Park.

The club is being geared up for success, but what would the owners deem as ‘success’ for the 2022/23 season?

Owners hoping Newcastle will finish in the top half

According to the Telegraph, the Toon decision makers are hoping to finish in the top 10 this season. That would be an improvement on the previous campaign where we came 11th. And that was a miracle given the fact we were in a relegation battle.

The Toon owners want Howe’s side to push on up to the top half, and they are also keen for Newcastle to enjoy a cup run. That ambition will be put to the test next month when the Magpies face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup third round.

Top half and a cup run would be a realistic Toon fans’ dream season. And it seems to be what the owners are hoping to achieve too.

The Telegraph add that a perfect outcome would be challenging for a European place. That could be possible if we remain where we are at the moment, but it will be incredibly difficult.

However, it is good to see that the club’s ambitions are not too over the top. This project will take time given where we were when the takeover happened.

European football is still a distance away, and so are trophies. But taking steps towards getting closer to that goal would represent success for Newcastle this season.