There is no need to limit dreams as Magpies flying
AIMING HIGH DOESN’T MEAN SILVERWARE IS IMPOSSIBLE
IN OUR moment of exaltation it has been suggested by some stunned Newcastle United fans who have been restricted by vertigo for many a year that we high-flying Geordies have dangerously over-achieved.
By that they do not mean punched above our weight which Newcastle most definitely have but actually finished too high for our own good.
That leaping from the relegation dungeon to the top of the mountain can result in a nose bleed and dizziness leading to a fall.
That perhaps a more cautious but sustainable path to the summit would have been easier on the transformation.
Well, I am having none of it!
Oh, I follow that if United had qualified for the Europa Conference League next season instead of the Champions League they could easily have won it and put silverware on the sideboard for the first time in 54 years.
West Ham are in the final for goodness sake and they have struggled against relegation all campaign.
Indeed, the Magpies belted them 5-1 at their place as recently as the beginning of April.
Leicester City made the semi-final a year ago and have just gone down to the Championship.
If anyone needs any further convincing who would bet against Aston Villa and Unai Emery inscribing their name on the Conference League trophy next campaign?
If silverware is absolutely crucial, as it is in the long-term plan, then Europe’s more minor competitions could be a way of ending the long wait. Nevertheless I will say it again. I am having none of it.
Of course I am not expecting United to win either the Premier League title or Champions League next tilt. That is for the future, though come it will.
However, going all guns blazing in these blue-chip competitions does not mean the chase for a trophy has been sacrificed.
Let Eddie Howe and his marvellous men have a dip at one of the domestic pots, the FA Cup and League Cup.
A short sprint to Wembley and then a successful day in the sun. We almost did it this last season.
No, I am a firm believer you must take your chance when it comes and I would LOVE to host the ultimate Champions League royalty Real Madrid at St James Park.
Or Bayern Munich, another Euro giant. Yes, even Paris St Germain, full of glamorous superstars if not history.
I would gladly take either Barcelona or Inter Milan of course.
I have only put them a tad further down Gibbo’s pecking order because I have already witnessed Newcastle beating both in European battle and adding Real to that impressive honours board would be something.
You must go into the biggest competition on the continent when you can. You owe it to the fans. You owe it to the players like Bruno Guimaraes
and Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak because they came here on such a cloud of hope. You know it to local lads like Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff for whom it is the stuff of dreams.
On a practical note, United could hardly turn their gaze away from the millions the Champions League will bring to fling open the FFP door that much more and attract top-quality players this summer who would not come without the carrot which is now in their shopping trolley.
Try telling Leicester City halfway through their season which ended in them winning the PL title – or later the FA Cup – they ought not to over -reach themselves because it is dangerous. Football is all about shooting for the stars and seeing where it takes you. Dreaming the impossible dream.
Newcastle have done magnificently rising from 11th last season to fourth though the transformation is actually much greater.
If you go back to when Howe first arrived it is from bottom to fourth.
Leicester in 2016 drew comparisons with the longest of long jumps to eternal fame – Bob Beamon’s leap into a sandpit at the Mexico Olympics of 68.
The Foxes soared from 14th the previous season to champions leaving Arsenal battered in second place a considerable 10 points behind.
Players were transformed beyond recognition. While they had a hard core of marquee performers like Riyad Mahrez, N’golo Kante, Jamie Vardy, and Kasper Schmeichel Leicester became English champions with over-achieving regulars Wes Morgan, Robert Huth, Danny Simpson once of our parish and Christian Fuchs within their ranks.
Just as Newcastle have turned Joelinton, Miggy Almiron, Shaun Longstaff, and Jacob Murphy into Champions League qualifiers.
If Leicester blew everyone away by being crowned champions eight years ago and Newcastle surprised a cynical world this last season then way back in the distant past – 54 years ago to be precise – the Mags also punched way above their accepted weight. Joe Harvey’s men finished a moderate 10th in the old First Division but unbelievably became European champions.
Entry to the old Fairs Cup was only gained on a one-club-one-city rule which eliminated many and was why they made it from midtable.
Even then their acceptance became possible only because the number of clubs allowed to compete was increased that particular year.
However, if United entered through the back door they walked out of the front with the trophy.
No, we have a saying up here. Shy bairns get nowt. You must chase your dreams. Keep the faith. Greedily accept what comes along and strive to do better year by year.
I embrace the Champions League as I guess the vast majority of Geordies do. It is a miracle considering Mike Ashley only left the building a short while ago but it has happened and much more will follow.
Not automatically but through hard work, forward planning and meticulous homework on the backgrounds of those invited to jump upon the bandwagon.