So the starting point this summer if you are looking for at least three teams that Newcastle will finish above, would logically be Sunderland and the three promoted teams.
Even the arrival of ‘Arry last season failed to spark any form of revival. It also remains unclear whether the likes of Adel Taraabt and Loic Remy will still be there after the transfer window.
Unlike 2009, our squad is a lot healthier and the players are more talented. This means that if we were to drop into the second tier of English football, the gifted players we do have at our disposal will disperse, possibly leaving the players that truly care about the club.
This isn’t about doubting their commitment when they play but accepting reality, just like Lovenkrands, Smith, Guthrie and Best they’d almost certainly be looking at Championship football.
