Newcastle United could now break six-season streak as January signings mooted – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Newcastle have a real chance of breaking into the Premier League’s top four this season if they “strengthen” further in January.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, highlighted Callum Wilson, 30, as a key figure to the Magpies’ potential success this term.
Newcastle recorded a 2-1 away win over Tottenham on Sunday (23 October) thanks to goals from Wilson and red-hot forward Miguel Almiron.
Eddie Howe’s side now sit fourth in the table on 21 points, just seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal after 12 games.
The last club outside the traditional ‘big six’ to qualify for the Champions League were Leicester City – who won the title in the 2015-16 campaign.
Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Howe insisted his side won’t “get ahead of themselves” in an attempt to avoid “external pressure” at St James’ Park.
However, Whelan insisted the big-spending Magpies are “certainly capable” of shaking up the status quo this season.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “They’ve assembled a really good, competitive side.
“But like Eddie Howe says, they won’t be getting ahead of themselves. They’ve got to take it one step at a time.
“Callum Wilson is one player who can make a real difference to them going all the way. He can run in behind, he can hold it up – he’s the main number nine.
“This is a very long season. It’s very difficult to make a call on who is going to finish in the top four.
“But they’re certainly capable of it. If they go and strengthen again now in January, you’ve got to say there’s a chance of them breaking through.
“It might be a couple of seasons too soon, but if they can be consistent enough – which isn’t an easy feat – they could just do it.”
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