Survival would be feather in the cap of Toon boss
SURVIVAL WILL BE A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT FOR BENITEZ
AS we prepare for the final furlong in the slog to avoid relegation from the Premier League, only one question is dominating our thoughts: will Newcastle survive? My answer is yes. I will nail my colours to the mast right now and say West Brom, Stoke and Southampton Hughes. It is possible with Southampton in the semi-finals because will go down. Hughes is also greatly responsible for The first two Stoke’s current plight – that is why he look virtually nailed on got the sack. and I am taking the I don’t think their Wembley Saints to be the third appearance in the semis will help doomed club. Southampton’s cause in the crucial Not just because they match at West Ham because the were so shocking last players will have one eye on a possible time out in the league at St slice of glory in a horrendous season. James’ Park but because they have a horrendous Certainly next weekend will be run-in after their six-pointer huge in determining so much. at West Ham which kickstarts Two games are absolutely critical all the action again. in shaping the destiny of four clubs – If they do make the drop United v Huddersfield and West Ham then they will inspire a quiz v Southampton. question for years to come: If I am right about who goes down who was the manager who then something of a record will have took down two clubs and been set with all three promoted reached the FA Cup final in the clubs – Newcastle, Brighton and same season? Answer: Mark Huddersfield – surviving their debut season back up top. I expect Brighton to stay up easily and Newcastle too, especially if they beat Huddersfield up here.
Chris Hughton has done a magnificent job and so has David Wagner at Huddersfield against all the odds, having made it to the Premier League via the play-offs.
I like him and would like to see Huddersfield, an old club of mine, survive, although I want them to lose at SJP a week today.
The sacking of Hughton by Mike Ashley was one of the cruellest acts I have witnessed in football – and I have seen a few. Hughton deserves all the success which is now coming his way. Newcastle’s season under Rafa Benitez should be hailed as a huge success should they stay up because they are essentially a Championship squad playing in the top flight. That is a fact and makes survival a real achievement manufactured by team spirit and organisation. So it is on to next Saturday and can Newcastle make it a hat-trick of home victories by beating Huddersfield after Manchester United and Southampton, which would be a rare achievement these days? I hope and think they will.