Make sure you beat the teams around you - a phrase Newcastle United supporters have become accustomed to in recent years. Annual relegation battles were the norm during the Mike Ashley era, with six-pointers often contested against the worst sides in the Premier League.
However, the Saudi-backed takeover has elevated expectations on Tyneside. After 14 years of apathy under Ashley, the hierarchy at St James’ Park are finally showing ambition.
Should rival supporters have any doubt about the Magpies’ desired endgame, they should read PIF representative Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s open letter to the fanbase on Thursday.
READ MORE: 'It's a beautiful thing' - What the new Newcastle United feels like for players, staff and fans
One year on from the takeover, the Newcastle chairman fired a warning to the rest of the Premier League. A statement read: “A year ago, we set out some principles in an open letter that framed our thinking as custodians of the Club. We told you that we wanted to build, over time, a consistently successful team. And we told you that we were focused on long-term success.
“There is still a long way to go, but each season is a building block towards our objective - to challenge for trophies both domestically and in Europe. The Club we are building is made up of people who understand our long-term vision, and who understand the patience and persistence that it will take to achieve those goals.”
Standards have been raised - but some basic principles remain the same. Newcastle are battling to become “the best of the rest” in the division and, as it stands, Brighton - just as they were in the 2016-17 Championship-winning season - are their clear rivals to that title.
Breaking into the traditional top six this year is seen as a pipe dream by most realistic Toon supporters. However, securing that coveted seventh spot would ensure Europa Conference League football and evoke memories of continental escapades from yesteryear.
Eddie Howe has already put down a marker for those outside the Premier League’s elite. The stats show that Newcastle, alongside Brighton and Fulham, are joint-top of the table when it comes to points gained against the other 14 clubs.
Any positive result against a top-six side is seen as a bonus but continuing this trend should serve the Magpies well come May. Newcastle are currently undefeated against sides outside that bracket, with August’s controversial defeat to Liverpool the only blemish on an otherwise solid start to the season.
The relief for fans is not having to look over their shoulder when studying the Premier League table. While “beating the teams around you” may have a different meaning now - its importance remains the same.
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