Rob Lee believes Newcastle United are capable of finishing in the Premier League's top four this season after such an impressive start. The Magpies currently sit fourth in the table after 12 games having lost just once, while also boasting the division's best defensive record with only 10 goals conceded.
Eddie Howe's side sent a real statement of intent to the rest of the division last weekend as they deservedly defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 away from home. Newcastle supporters have been starved of European football in recent years, with their last appearance coming all the way back in 2012/13, when they reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The last time Champions League football came to the Northeast was in 2003/04, though they were knocked out in the third round of qualification by Partizan Belgrade. Speaking to the Mail Online, former Magpies midfielder Lee sees no reason why they cannot achieve a top four finish and insists it has been too long for a club of Newcastle's size not to have been in Europe.
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"It’s probably not since Kevin Keegan that there has been such a buzz around the club and around the town. I don’t see why they can’t finish in the top four. Manchester City apart, everything is up for grabs and Newcastle are on the up.
"They drew against City, could have beaten Liverpool away and have just deservedly beaten Tottenham. They know they can play well against the top teams, so why can’t they stay there?
"It would mean everything to the fans to be in the Champions League again. It’s been too long since they have been challenging for those sort of things.
"Eddie had his doubters when he joined and I was probably one of them. I thought, 'Can he manage a club this size?', but he is delivering.
"The managers that have been great at this club like Keegan and Robson have got the area and the people, and Eddie understands what it is all about as well."
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