Newcastle United tipped by Agbonlahor for top-six finish as St. James’ Park footage emerges
The rejuvenated atmosphere at St. James’ Park could help fire Newcastle United to a top-six finish next season, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Newcastle could also benefit by the 2022-23 campaign being split into two due to the World Cup in November.
The 2-0 win over Arsenal on Monday (16 May) was the club’s seventh home win in their last seven fixtures at St. James’ Park.
The only defeat in that time was a narrow 1-0 loss to a quadruple-chasing Liverpool side.
“St. James’ Park has turned into a fortress,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Antonio Conte’s reaction after Spurs beat Burnley showed they had a feeling Arsenal would struggle to win the game.
“You have to give credit to Newcastle for creating that fortress with their fans. Their players played against Arsenal like it was their first game of the season, not a game that doesn’t matter in the table.
“Newcastle should have won the game comfortably, 4-1 or 5-1. They are going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.
“In the season with a World Cup in, where players are going to play within themselves before it and might pick up injuries during it, it could be a very strange season where one team does something crazy.
“Newcastle could surprise everyone and finish in the top six, you can’t rule it out.
“Next season is going to be a very, very strange season. Teams with players not going to the World Cup are going to benefit.
“Players can have a holiday and be wrapped up in cotton wool. The big clubs might have the after-effects of injuries and tiredness.
“There are a lot of factors as to why next season will be very different.”
In other news, a medical expert has revealed the details of Joe Willock’s long-term condition after a Newcastle United update.