Newcastle United supporters are firmly of the opinion that a top half finish won't be achieved in the Premier League this season. The Magpies are currently 14th having only lost once in the league since the turn of the year, but fans remain realistic with the vast majority of the belief that a top ten is a bridge too far.
Everton are next on the fixture list, following Newcastle's late 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend, before United have an almost two-and-a-half week break from all domestic action. Manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that the club will travel to Dubai for warm weather training during the international hiatus.
The Toon are at present just four points behind 10th placed side Southampton and also boast a game in hand over the Saints. But with just 10 games left this season, fans are seemingly unsure that a top half finish can be achieved.
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Our recent online survey, that saw over 1,000 fans take part, revealed that a whopping 71.4% of supporters feel Newcastle will finish somewhere between 14th-11th in the league table. 24.2% foresee a final standing of 17th-15th, whilst a small but optimistic 3.9% believe a top ten finish can be achieved.
United have seen a superb upturn since Eddie Howe's arrival and the subsequent investment plunged into the club during the January transfer window has had the desired affect on the club's league position. Defender Dan Burn has provided stability at the back where it was most needed, whilst Brazilian playmaker Bruno Guimaraes looks a shrewd addition too.
Other questions posted to the Magpies fanbase in the aftermath of the Chelsea defeat were centred around relegation, many believe Newcastle have now done enough to beat the drop. 68.8% think Howe's men are nearly there, with another 27.1% believing the Toon are now 'safe'. The final 4.2% think there is still work to be done however.
In terms of wins to secure their status in the Premier League, a majority of 46.6% of fans think the side now only needs two wins, shortly followed by a prediction of three wins by 33.2%. One win received 9.9% of the vote, with four plus wins collecting 8.9% and no victories receiving 1.9% .
Finally, with the magic 40 points regarded a traditionally safe haven for clubs bidding to beat the drop in England's top flight, a large proportion of supporters we asked think Newcastle only need perhaps another 3-5 points. 44.3% think 34-36 points are enough required, closely followed by 41.5% who believe 37-40 is a more realistic aim. The 40+ points option collected 6.9% of the vote with 31-33 points receiving 6.6% , as 28-30 points rounded up votes with 0.8% of the final tally.
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