Former Newcastle United captain and midfielder Rob Lee has said that Magpies fans should lower their league expectations this season and focus on cup competitions despite Eddie Howe's incredible turn around.
Newcastle currently sit third in the Premier League after being 18th at this time last year and have lost just once in their first 14 league matches this season.
However, Lee believes instead of trying to win the league, Howe needs to focus on bringing other silverware to the club first - namely the Carabao Cup and the F.A Cup.
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Speaking to Compare.bet, Lee highlighted that no one thought the Magpies would be in the position they are right now, especially after just one year.
"It has been amazing really. I think no one – not even the most staunch Newcastle fan – could have predicted the transformation of the club in a year. I think when he [Howe] came in quite a few people were sceptical, I think because of what happened at Burnley.
"Newcastle are a huge club with huge expectations, but he has been absolutely brilliant and he has got the players playing for him and he has brought players in that have made us a better team. It reminds me of when I joined back in the 90s, everyone is pulling in the same direction and the club are moving forward at a rate of knots."
The former Magpie did, however, say that while fans should be excited over the success so far this season, they shouldn't get too ahead of themselves.
"I thought when Eddie first took over the target would be to stave off relegation, get a few players in and try and stay in the top half of the league, but expectations are going to rise. The Geordie fans will be thinking ‘Can we win the league here’, but I have said many times I would like us to go for a cup – we are still in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
"We are not going to win the league. That’s not going to happen. We have done brilliantly well, but I would just like us to go for a cup because over the years we have always saved ourselves to stay in the league. I think we are past that now so let’s try and win a cup, win some silverware because it’s been a long time since we have."
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