West Ham United forward Michail Antonio believes Newcastle United's stellar form of late could lead to some unrealistic expectations at the start of next season.
Speaking on the BBC's 'The Footballer's Football Podcast' that he hosts with Magpies striker Callum Wilson, Antonio reckons Newcastle's drastic turn of fortunes could lead to an increased level of expectations too soon, which could add unnecessary pressure upon manager Eddie Howe's shoulders.
Prior to Howe's arrival, Newcastle sat in the relegation zone, having not won a single game until they beat Burnley 1-0 on December 4. Here's the full transcription of Antonio and Wilson's conversation from 'The Footballer's Football Podcast':
Michail Antonio: “Newcastle fans are not going to like what I’m going to say now."
Callum Wilson: “Woah, woah, woah.”
MA: "I’m trying to help your gaffer [Eddie Howe] out - your daddy out."
CW: "What are you going to say?"
MA: "Him doing so well could kill him for next season."
CW: "Why?"
MA: "The fact that he’s come in, and won so many games. People expect stuff, straight away. Because he’s come in and done so well, people are going to expect things from next season. So if he keeps on going, and you finish the season strong winning all these games, a few signings come in, next season, what are these fans going to want? What are these owners going to think?"
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CW: "No..."
MA: "I’m just throwing it out there! What do you think to what I’m saying?"
CW: "Yeah, obviously, I get what you’re saying. The manager is not going to want to come in, get us safe and then not win anymore games so it don’t put pressure on himself.
"I think his work ethic is second to none so ultimately, this job that he’s taken on when he took over - I think we were on four or five points when he took over the club - he obviously saw further down the line the bigger picture of getting us safe and things like that. Ultimately, we have to all keep our feet on the ground.
"Now we’re safe, we’re playing against teams where some of them are on holiday mode already. It’s different when you’re starting a season and you’ve got 38 games from the start so the pressure is probably going to be there from the start.
"Like I say, it’s a building process, we’ve been taken over and we are trying to finish in the top 10 this year. I think next year it’ll probably be the same, trying to sustain that level and maintain that and solidify ourselves as a top 10 team and build from there. We’re not getting carried away as players and as a club to say we’re going to be challenging in Europe or things like that."
