Newcastle United ended a long wait for a first Premier League victory last Saturday as we entertained Watford at St James’ Park.
A single goal from Ayoze Perez was enough to return all three points and a first win for manager Rafa Benitez and having slipped into the bottom three as the weeks since the start of the 2018/19 campaign have ticked by, victory boosted us up to 17th place.
Hardly a rosy position but the top-flight table certainly looks a bit better than it did on Friday evening that’s for sure.
With the dreaded ‘relegation’ word featuring for a number of fans given our form and results so far, there’s a section who remain ultra optimistic when it comes to not dropping back down to the Championship, and the result on Saturday simply boosted their belief.
Whatever flaws we have in our first team, they see far bigger problems elsewhere in the division.
Fulham and Burnley can’t defend. And Cardiff and Huddersfield are just as bad at scoring as we are. That’s the way I’m looking at it.
— Liam (@ldabbs89) November 3, 2018
That and the goal difference. Talk about the negative tactics and all, but that goal difference is significant and could be what keeps us up.
— Ian McCabe (@ianmmccabe) November 3, 2018
That's amazing when you think about it, it does show there are plenty of rubbish teams down there with us, our defence gives us a chance but we need more goals in the team. One goal wouldn't be enough for every win. After the tough start, Brighton was the only really bad result
— Brady (@BRADY1892) November 3, 2018
We massively lack in quality (not the manager or players fault), but we can’t be faulted for effort, battle, passion and drive! Hopefully that will see us 17th and above!! Never criticise these players! Not their fault they’re not good enough for the PL. #ASHLEYOUT
— Liam Prickett (@PrickettLiam) November 3, 2018
Yep, never stopped being sure that there will be (at least) 3 worse teams than us. We are a decent run away from 12th!
— Stu (@Sushimonster85) November 3, 2018
Cardiff. Huddersfield. Fulham.
— Mitch Lindsay (@mitchlindsay3) November 3, 2018
fans back the team and we win we need the support like that all the time
— max♛ (@shxIvey) November 3, 2018
Indeed. It’s still early days but it looks to me like several teams will be in trouble this season. Cardiff have a hard few games coming up and I can’t see them getting any points from them.
— Eric Gibbon (@EricGibbon) November 3, 2018
Also remember we've already played 5 of all top 6 sides
— Antek Czujwid (@B_Annan71) November 3, 2018