Pundit issues ‘historic’ Newcastle United claim after what he’s seen – ‘you can’t ignore it’
Noel Whelan has insisted Newcastle United are in contention for a history-making first Premier League title this season.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Magpies will take “great confidence” from Leicester’s breathtaking triumph in the 2015-16 season.
Newcastle picked up their eighth win of the season on Saturday (12 November) after dispatching fellow big-spenders Chelsea.
The Tynesiders sign off for the mid-season World Cup break in third place after losing just one of their 15 games this term.
Last season’s champions Man City are just two points clear of Newcastle – while leaders Arsenal are seven points clear of Eddie Howe’s side.
And Football Insider revealed on 11 November that the Saudi-backed outfit are planning to improve their title credentials with a January move for coveted Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Whelan ultimately predicted that the mega-rich Magpies will fall short of the title this term.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Right now, you’ve got to say they’re title contenders.
“If you’re up there, winning consecutive games, and sitting that close to Man City – you’ve got to say they’re in the conversation.
“You can’t ignore the table.
“Will they win it? No, is my opinion.
“But Leicester have done it, so history tells you that Newcastle should have great confidence that they can do it.
“All Eddie Howe will want is for his team to stay competitive in every game, and that belief will just grow and grow as long as they keep winning games.”
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