Newcastle United hit by another ‘major problem’ – ‘This will be difficult’, says pundit
Newcastle United will find it “difficult” to achieve their aim this season – qualifying for European football.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton claimed a Champions League spot was the goal at the start of the season, but now qualification for any European competition would be welcomed.
The Magpies have bounced back in recent weeks after a significant slump in form which saw them lose six games from seven in the Premier League – a major blow to their chances of breaking into the Top Four in consecutive seasons.
While important wins against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have pushed them up to seventh, they remain 11 points away from fourth-place Tottenham.
Newcastle United will take a “step backwards” by failing to qualify for the Champions League, but they “must” earn a spot in Europe
Hutton suggested that the form of other Top Four challengers, including Man United, could prove a “major problem” for Eddie Howe’s side – who would be regressing without Champions League football next season.
“This will be difficult for them,” he told Football Insider.
“Finishing fourth last season means that it would have been their aim again this season.
“You don’t want to go backwards.
“Them playing in the Champions League was difficult for them, but you never want to take a step backwards.
“The major problem is, there’s a lot of teams around them that are hitting form.
“Teams like Man United have come into the equation now, but I think they have to aim for at least the European spots.
“Top Four would have been the aim at the start of the season.
“But if they can still make European football, that would be a success.
“They can’t be outside that, they must get some kind of European football.”
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