Magpies need good start to season - Shay
FORMER Newcastle United shotstopper Shay Given believes the Magpies need to ride the crest of a wave with a strong start to the forthcoming season.
The Toon fan favourite has been impressed by the signings at St James’ Park so far this summer and expects more faces to soon follow.
However, having pulled on the shirt for Manchester City after leaving Tyneside, he knows bigmoney signings do not mean instant success.
Given said: “I think they need to ride the crest of that wave because the feelgood factor is back at Newcastle.
“The way they finished the season, the city is bouncing now.
“If you go up there and cover a game the atmosphere is just phenomenal. They have Wor Flags behind the goals and it’s a special place to play.
“Eddie Howe and his staff have galvanised the city as much as the football club. There’s a real feelgood factor again.
“I think with these signings, and I imagine there’ll be a few more before the window closes, I think there’s a real chance they can - I don’t want to get excited here but top seven, top eight.
“You don’t want to put pressure on Eddie as well because of the money they have to spend.
“It doesn’t automatically mean it’ll happen overnight.
“If they can build on last season, the feelgood factor, there’s no reason why - you have to remember after 14 games they hadn’t won a game last season.
“No club has ever stayed in the Premier League after that and what they did in the second half of the season was phenomenal.
“The likes of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes especially last January, they were fantastic signings.”