Former Newcastle United star John Barnes believes Eddie Howe has got a "good harmony" within his squad, and believes the Magpies can challenge for the top six in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle started the season with a comfortable win over Nottingham Forest at St. James' Park last Saturday, with a wonder strike from Fabian Schar and a piece of brilliance from Callum Wilson was enough to down Steve Cooper's side.
And while the Magpies' fortunes have changed since their Saudi Arabian takeover was completed in October last year, Barnes insisted that his old side have got their confidence back, and that is crucial if they are to push for a top half finish.
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Speaking to BonusCodeBets following the opening day of the season, Barnes said: “It was a good victory (over Nottingham Forest). It was a good start for them.
"If you look at the way Newcastle finished last season, they finished with lots of confidence. I suppose coming into this season with the signings they made and with the new confidence of the new owners; the harmony is good.”
And that confidence has been infectious to not only the fans, but the players too, with results significantly improving since Steve Bruce's departure. By the end of the 2021/22 campaign, only Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal have taken more points than the Magpies since Howe’s first match back in November.
During that period, Newcastle were averaging 2.13 points per game, extrapolated over a full Premier League season, that’s enough to see them qualify for the Champions League and finish on average 3rd place in recent years.
Whilst that form may be hard to recreate over the course of a 38-game season, Barnes believes that the Magpies have the squad and the capability to challenge for the top half, and possibly even the European places.
"So I think that Newcastle can confidently look to be in the top half," he added.
"I don’t think they necessarily have the quality or the strength and depth to be in the top five or six. But I think they’ll be looking to be in the top ten. Somewhere between sixth and tenth.”
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