Eddie Howe has 'no excuses' if Newcastle United fail to avoid relegation following a January transfer spending spree in excess of £90m.
That is the view of pundit Frank McAvennie, who believes survival should be a 'formality' for the Magpies after making five signings in the window.
Dan Burn and Matt Targett both agreed deals on deadline day, and joined Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood at St James' Park.
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The spend which could rise above £90m has given renewed hopes to Newcastle's survival prospects, with Howe's side currently one point adrift of safety having won just twice all season.
United face home fixtures against Everton and Aston Villa next, with away trips to the capital against West Ham and Brentford to follow.
Relegation rivals Burnley and Watford both hold games in hand on Newcastle, while Norwich have moved out of the relegation zone with successive wins.
However, former Celtic and West Ham striker McAvennie has praised the Magpies' mid-season transfer business, and believes Howe now has enough at his disposal to steer the club to safety.
He told Football Insider: "I mean, they have to stay up, surely?”
“You look at the business they have done. Three new defenders, a striker and this new midfielder everyone is excited about.
“I know they wanted more, maybe another attacker. There was a lot of talk about Lingard.
“But staying up should be a formality now. Eddie Howe has no excuses.
“Other Newcastle managers have been able to say they weren’t backed, that certainly isn’t the case here.
“It was near to £100million they spent, which is brilliant.
“It would be a bit embarrassing really but I think they have done enough to stay up.”
