If the last two games have shown us anything, it’s just how far Newcastle United need to go before truly challenging the biggest teams in the Premier League.
While Eddie Howe’s side did not play particularly badly against either Manchester United or Manchester City, even the most ardent supporter would surely admit the Magpies struggled to lay much of a glove in both games.
Still, as disappointing as that is, it’s a good reminder of the exciting improvements to come. With a bit more cutting edge brought in over the next few transfer windows, there’s no telling just how good Newcastle could be.
Indeed, that’s not something lost on the rest of the Premier League it seems.
Pep Guardiola full of praise for Newcastle
After watching his side beat Howe’s men thanks to goals from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, City boss Pep Guardiola took the time to praise Newcastle and predict a much stronger challenge in the years to come.
The future is exciting but the present is a (only very slight) worry
Clearly, hearing that kind of thing from a figure such as Guardiola is promising.
Still, it’s important not to get carried away. While not to take an exciting future for granted, the fact is that Newcastle haven’t won in the Premier League since January 15 and now have little more margin for error if they are going to qualify for the Champions League.
A nicer problem to have than battling relegation of course but a worry nonetheless.