Eddie Howe has admitted that Newcastle United were 'strapped in to go the whole distance' - but the Magpies now look set to avoid an effective relegation play-off against Burnley on the final day following a remarkable turnaround.
It has not been mathematically confirmed just yet, but Newcastle are about to become the first Premier League outfit in history to stay up despite failing to win any of their opening 14 games this season. Newcastle are currently flying high in ninth place ahead of the visit of Liverpool to St James' Park on Saturday after picking up 43 points this season.
To put that turnaround into perspective, Newcastle were languishing in 19th as recently as mid-January. The mid-season arrivals of Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett have undoubtedly helped, but the work ethic and togetherness fostered by Howe and his staff at the training ground have seen a host of inherited players make real strides, too.
