The cynical view after Newcastle’s win ponders what might have been

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Newcastle are off the mark in the Premier League following the fantastic win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, but the cynic inside me can’t help but wonder what could have been.

It was a much-needed win for the team, the manager and the fans, which should see confidence skyrocket and restore belief into the players.

A defeat was expected at Spurs, and some fans were looking at the home game against Watford on Saturday as a crunch game for our fortunes going forward.

The vultures circling St James’ Park have had their wings clipped for now, and for once, a week has started with a much more positive vibe around Tyneside.

And yet, I find myself thinking about how different things could have been after three games.

Had we not messed up that substitution that changed the whole game so dramatically against Arsenal, we could well have hung on for a point, or even snatched a win.

And had we turned up at Norwich, we could have won a game that we were expected to be looking for three points in.

We could actually have been sitting quite pretty in the table, after what was considered a nightmare start by fans.

It could have been a dream scenario from a nightmare start

A point against Arsenal, and three against Norwich, backed up by the stupendous win at Tottenham, and we would have banked seven points out of nine, and be in third spot.

Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and you should not look back, but in the early stages of a season where an already under pressure manager was insisting on the need for a fast start, just imagine if that had happened?

As it is, the bizarre nature of an early-season league table meant Newcastle won on Sunday, but actually dropped one spot to 19th.

They still have a huge task ahead of them, and Watford is still a game they need a win from, particularly to keep the feel-good factor going into the international break.

After that it is Liverpool away, and the tough games keep on coming.

But for now, we can revel in Sunday’s win, and have a smile on our faces looking forward for a change.