Simon Jordan fears Newcastle United's 'high standards' this season could lead to an unrealistic level of expectation on Tyneside. Eddie Howe's side have lost only four Premier League games this season, and could take a massive stride towards qualifying for the Champions League with a victory over top-four rivals Tottenham on Sunday.
It has been a remarkable transformation for the Magpies, who were considered among the relegation favourites at the mid-point of last season following a dismal start to the campaign. Howe's side have occupied a top-four spot for much of this season, and made their first domestic cup final appearance in more than two decades with the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United.
Jordan - who stands to lose a charity bet with talkSPORT presenter Jim White over Newcastle finishing in the top six - has backed Newcastle to complete the 'remarkable achievement' of securing a place in the Champions League. However, the former Crystal Palace owner has warned Howe's side could set themselves an impossible challenge of replicating or even bettering their feats next season.
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The poor form of Chelsea and Liverpool this season has opened the door for the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton to disrupt the so-called 'Big Six'. Jordan was asked which of the three, alongside league leaders Arsenal, could set themselves the 'hardest task' of living up to these new expectations next season.
Jordan told talkSPORT: "I think probably one of the most challenging aspects with the standards they've set themselves is Newcastle, because they've set such high standards for themselves and are likely to finish in the top four. I think that's going to be very difficult for them to replicate, because I do think that irrespective of the challenges Chelsea and Liverpool have had this season, they will be better next year.
"Then you get this feeling of natural order being returned. But all of these sides shouldn't look at it from that point of view. One thing you always have in football is this desire to increase expectations, the challenge is when you set the expectation beyond the level of reality and you give yourself that situation where people are judging you by a set of standards that are not fair.
"If Newcastle finish inside the top four this season, it would be a remarkable achievement. If they do it again next season, it would be equally as remarkable."
Jordan added: "All of these clubs could have a feel-good factor that could be diminished next year, but the reality of it is what you've got to look at is the here and now, and what that builds towards. Brighton are going to have a raid, tragically for then. Their players are going to be looked at by other football clubs this summer, and there's the challenge for Brighton.
"Villa, well Christian Purslow will no doubt be basking in a reflective glory over the appointment on the back of the one he got wrong [Steven Gerrard] and the team are doing well with Unai Emery. Newcastle is just a feel-good story, they're a great side to watch with a group of fans that are totally entranced with their football team.
"All of them will have their challenges next year."
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