As Newcastle are about to embark on three successive home matches which can guarantee their safety and prolonged membership of the Premier League let us remember from whence they came. United's first win of what was a torturous season failed to come until December 4, their 15th attempt in the league and 16th overall. Fellow flops Burnley squeezed out 1-0 up here.
Come the new year United were still second bottom when embarrassingly knocked out of the FA Cup at home by League One Cambridge. Relegation was not just a concern it was an all-consuming fear. So three defeats in a row that have tempered enthusiasm only confirm the reality that Newcastle are nowhere near being a top half of the table side as yet.
Remember the five-goal humiliation at Tottenham came against a team which while it may possess the awesome power of Harry Kane and Son is still fighting to try and make fourth spot and Champions League qualification. Spurs are well short of the all round quality of Manchester City and Liverpool, who Newcastle still have to play incidentally.
