BYMICK QUINN
- 18:00, 3 OCT 2017
Rafael Benitez had really been backed over the summer, it could have been a top 10 or even top eight finish for the
But, as it is, I think comfortably mid-table is looking most likely.
There are certainly three sides - and far more if truth be told - who I think are worse than Newcastle. I feel fairly comfortable in saying that, with Rafael at the helm, I just don’t see this current United side going down.
I can name three teams straightaway who I really fear for at this stage though: Crystal Palace, Brighton - and Everton.
That last one may shock a few people, and I know I am a Liverpool fan, but I have watched a lot of Everton recently and I just don’t think they’ve offered anything. The crowd have offered the players no support, it's no wonder Barkley wants out.
Ronald Koeman and Rafael Benitez
Ronald Koeman must be fearful for his job. He spent £150million over the summer but, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jordan Pickford aside, I didn’t think he bought particularly well.
They lost Romelu Lukaku and didn’t replace him with a goal-scorer. Wayne Rooney came in and, though he’ll give his all, he’s on the downward slope now in terms of his career. He even got dropped at the weekend. His drink driving and treatment of Colleen is a stain on my home city.
Everton really need to have a long, hard look at themselves and do some soul searching because I don’t even see the signs of progress. I honestly think they look in trouble and a good investment to back to be relegated.
Not quite as much trouble as Crystal Palace, mind. Seven games, no points and no goals - and Roy Hodgson in charge.
We all know my thoughts on him, so I think they’ve got a tough, tough season ahead.
As for Brighton, I haven’t been impressed with them at all. Chris Hughton has been a bit cautious at times too, and I just don’t think they have much quality.
Swansea are in trouble too. I’d put them just above those three sides I’ve already mentioned. I think they’re too negative away from home.
I remember when I played for Portsmouth and Alan Ball, who had been a really attacking manager, that as soon as we got to the top flight he became defensive on the road. He used to ask me to defend out wide from the front.
Rafael Benitez did a tactical job on Liverpool - Newcastle were almost comfortable against the Reds
By the time he changed a third of the way through the season, we were already doomed. The same could happen to Swansea.
Finally, Huddersfield are the other side I see struggling. But, what makes me fear for the Terriers less than the three others is that I can see what David Wagner is trying to do.
He has a philosophy and he sticks to it. Huddersfield are going to play their way, whether it leads to survival or relegation.
For that reason, I can see them winning enough games here and there to survive.
But a lot can change between now and Christmas. I’m confident Newcastle will not be embroiled in a real relegation scrap, but it’s up to the other teams I mentioned to haul themselves clear of trouble before the winter really bites.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...ewcastle-more-enough-survive-everton-13710470
