Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville disagreed about Newcastle United's top-four chances this season with the Magpies sitting fourth at the time of writing. Eddie Howe and his men have defied any pre-season expectations and are on course for European football next season as things stand.
Former Liverpool defender, Carragher, feels the Magpies have been one of the best teams to watch in the Premier League this season and says Howe is in with a shout at being manager of the season. The Magpies head coach has transformed the Toon from relegation certainties into European contenders.
At the halfway point in the campaign, Newcastle have lost just once in the Premier League and are yet to lose to any of their immediate top-four rivals.
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Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher said: "I think they can. I think Newcastle for me this season, alongside Arsenal, have been the team I've been most excited watching. When you watch them it just feels so fast and energetic - I mean they've only lost one game.
"I know they've drawn a lot of games but to only lose one Premier League game, halfway through a season, no matter who you are, if you're the Man City of the last few years, it's some going that. Premier League games are tough and we know Newcastle are not the best team in the league.
"They're in the top-four right now, so to only lose one game is some going. I would say, I think how Eddie Howe has got them set up defensively as well, they don't look like a soft touch or typical Newcastle team where it's going to be end to end and any type of score.
"So, I think Eddie Howe is one of the managers of the season - no doubt. It'll be tough for them, of course it will. You talk about Tottenham being there or thereabouts, but I think Newcastle have got something special going there.
"I always think when clubs have got a connection - Arsenal have got it there on the back of winning and doing well this season - but that connection with the crowd that goes to the pitch, not every club can have that. I think Newcastle have got something special going on there at the minute, the fans are always backing them it feels like a real team environment.
"The players are at the top of the game the fact that they're not conceding goals means they've always got a fighting chance in every game that they play."
However, former Manchester United defender Neville said: "I just feel like Newcastle are absolutely full pelt all the time, 100mph, they can't run any faster than they're doing and I think they're hanging on. I just don't think that they'll be able to do that as the season goes on and I don't think that they'll finish in the top-four.
"I hope they do, I think it'll be unbelievable if they did and it'll be a new top-four but I think they'll fall away. I think Newcastle with the cup final coming up as well, United will be a problem for them as well but with the cup final coming up I just don't think they'll hang onto top-four."
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