Newcastle United can be dark horses in this season's FA Cup.
That is the verdict of former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson who believes a good run of results in the Premier League between now and Christmas can allow the Magpies to be competitive in this season's cup competitions.
United beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Friday evening thanks to goals from Callum Wilson and Joelinton and they currently sit seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Newcastle now have four winnable fixtures in a row as they take on Aston Villa, Fulham, Leeds and West Brom before next month's Carabao Cup quarter-final away at Championship outfit Brentford.
Steve Bruce's side could give themselves a comfortable cushion ahead of the bottom three with some favourable results and that will allow the 59-year-old to deliver on his vow of taking the cup competitions seriously, according to Merson.
"I like Steve Bruce. I think he is a top manager," Merson told Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday.
"If I was a Newcastle fan I would be looking at this thinking the more points we get quickly, the more chance we have of having a good run in the FA Cup.
"That's all Newcastle fans hope for. They want to win a trophy and when you look at it they can win the League Cup or the FA Cup.
"Usually they are down there fighting at the bottom of the league and they have to rest players because they have a big game the following Saturday in the league.
"The more points they get now, the more chance they can play a strong team in the FA Cup and then they become dark horses in the FA Cup.
"I think he has done a great job. You just need to look at the teams they are above."
