If Newcastle are to keep – and attract – the elite-level players they so desire, this week will go a long way to determining their chances of doing so.
It was telling when Kieran Trippier, in the wake of the disappointing home draw with Brighton, told us: ‘Throughout my whole career, since I went to Tottenham, I have been in Europe, be it Europa League or Champions League. With the way the club is going, it needs to be in Europe and competing at the top of the Premier League.’
The very best players rarely do seasons out of European competition. As it stands, Newcastle must win their last two matches to be certain of achieving that.
That they are both away from home – where they have won just five times all season – suggests the odds are now against them. That is why St James’ Park felt flat at full-time on Saturday, after a game in which the inconsistency of the final ball reinforced the need for quality signings in attacking areas.
That calibre of player, though, might only come if there is the promise of continental competition. Wednesday’s trip to direct rivals Manchester United is, says Trippier, ‘massive’.
Kieran Trippier says Newcastle are a club that needs to be playing European football
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But he also uses the same word for the size of the feat should they achieve their goal, given the turbulence of a campaign unsettled by injury and Sandro Tonali’s suspension.
‘If you look at the course of the season – the setbacks, the ups and downs – to be in the position we are is unbelievable,’ said the England defender. ‘Europe is massive, and it would be a massive achievement to make it.
‘We’ve got a great squad. If that squad was fully fit, it would have been a different season. Our injuries have been ridiculous. At one point we had 12/13 players out.’
Against Brighton, the absence of Callum Wilson due to a muscle tightness meant there was no replacement for top scorer Alexander Isak when he was withdrawn in the 68th minute because of illness. A lack of options from the bench has hampered Eddie Howe all season. At one point, he was naming three goalkeepers among his substitutes.
‘Throughout the season you’ll have ups and downs, but what the manager has done for individuals at this club is nothing short of remarkable,’ said Trippier. ‘He’s had a 49 per cent win ratio, it’s unbelievable.
‘We are ahead of schedule, you have to respect that. But with that comes expectation and pressure, and us players have to deal with that. But we’ve got the right manager who gives us that never-say-die attitude.’
They will need that this week if their European ambitions are to remain alive.
