With optimism surrounding Newcastle United at an all time high, many fans now see this summer's upcoming transfer window as an especially crucial one for boss Eddie Howe. Tasked with adding the correct amount of both talent and personnel into his squad, the Magpies will hope to improve on their 11th placed finish in 21/22.
Galvanised perhaps by the signings of Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett at the very least, the mood in and around St. James Park is now a very different one that faced the club a mere 12 months ago. Given the amount of funds available to Howe and his team, anticipation will again build when the June window opens once more.
But with on-field progress a particular key point, breaking up the division's top sides will also be no mean feat, and with bookmakers already presenting odds for which sides are going to finish just where, Newcastle's figures do make for particularly interesting viewing.
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At first, to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season, the Magpies come in at 1/20, with some sites also offering 1/50 and 1/66 too. Now, given the side had recorded just one domestic win heading into the festive period last year, this shows just how impressive Howe's turnaround has been, in a relatively short amount of time too.
Next, a top half finish, missed out on by just two points this season, comes in at 1/3 odds on, with just one site currently offering the market. Newcastle will of course be looking to do so and could better their previous recent best of 10th back in 2017/18 under Rafael Benitez.
And last but not least, for those confident punters of you out there, a top four United finish for the 22/23 campaign is as low as 7/1 with some bookies, and 9/1 and 10/1 with others. Given the gap between said sides at present, this feat would be even more impressive and perhaps a little bold. But who knows given the sides superb turnaround from the turn of the calendar year.
