Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton feels the Magpies have an 'opportunity' in the coming weeks to kick on this season.
The 61-year-old, who managed Newcastle to the Championship title in 2010, was working as a pundit on Sky Sports' coverage of the Magpies' defeat to Arsenal.
Steve Bruce's side shipped four goals in a disappointing second-half collapse to lose 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium but United remain seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Newcastle have accrued 31 points from 26 matches so far and now have a seven match run in the Premier League without facing any of the traditional top six sides.
The Magpies also have an FA Cup fifth-round trip to West Brom during that time and Hughton feels as if the next eight games represent a huge 'opportunity' for his former club to transform their season.
"I can guarantee it won't be a nice relaxing end to the season," the former Brighton, Norwich and Birmingham boss said.
"But certainly if I look at the points they are on at this moment, and without any of the top six in the coming games, there is an opportunity for them.
"What they will do after today is dust themselves down - it is their first defeat in eight and they have had a poor second half - and they will realise what this defeat means.
"They will get ready for the next game knowing this was always going to be a tough season."
