Eddie Howe has delivered most alarming Newcastle United verdict yet as Spurs relegation comparison made
From Champions League to relegation battles. Are Newcastle United in danger of becoming the next Tottenham Hotspur?
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Eddie Howe claims Newcastle United have ‘a lot to do’ over the next few months in order to avoid becoming another Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs have been a cautionary tale for the likes of Newcastle this season having won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League last season.
But that Europa League victory masked some dismal Premier League form as the side finished 17th last season. While a side that has mostly finished in and around the European places for the last 15 years, Spurs were expected by most to improve on last season’s Premier League performance.
Instead, the negative momentum has carried on and the North London club have found themselves locked in a relegation battle with four games left to play. Tottenham currently sit 18th in the table and two points from safety.
Meanwhile, Newcastle sit 14th in the table, eight points above the drop zone. But with nine defeats in their last 12 Premier League matches and bogey side Brighton & Hove Albion next up followed by relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, the Magpies risk being dragged into an uncomfortable position.
When asked about potential relegation fears this season, Howe dismissed the suggestion and instead focused on the short term target of getting back to winning ways. As it happens, another win for the Magpies would be enough to guarantee survival in the Premier League.
But it’s hard to know where the next win is coming from on the back of five straight defeats in all competitions.
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Are NUFC in a relegation battle this season?
“Well, I think we're looking at the fact we haven't won games and it's too many games without positive results,” Howe said about Newcastle looking over their shoulder at the relegation battle. “So, we're looking at next week and trying to win a game and try and lift the feeling that we currently feel.”
While Newcastle are expected to stay up, given their current 42 point total, Spurs know all too well the damaging impact of a poor domestic campaign and how it can carry on into the next season.
When asked what Newcastle have to do to avoid following Spurs’ path and being dragged into a relegation scrap next season, Howe told The Gazette: “Yes, we've got a lot to do.
“I think we've got challenges from different sides on the pitch, off the pitch. We've got a big summer coming up, so we need to be fully prepared for that.”
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Newcastle United set to stick with Eddie Howe
As revealed by The Gazette last week, Newcastle are prepared to stick with Howe to lead the summer rebuild job with several key player departures expected. Kieran Trippier has already announced his departure once his contract expires at the end of June.
Fabian Schar could also follow suit and be released while the likes of Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali have all been linked with big money moves away from the club.
Newcastle are also targeting a striker this summer which will almost certainly pave the way for one of the current forwards to leave.