Six dates Newcastle United fans should circle on their calendars

The 2020-21 Premier League campaign was simply another season wasted by Newcastle United. It marked yet another season where the disparity between the Toon Army’s objectives and the targets set by the front office can be seen by a NASA satellite in space.

Newcastle United have sufficient talent to knock on the door of the top ten, but Steve Bruce’s extended implementation of defensive tactics, along with his misuse of key players, have placed a low ceiling on this squad.

With 14 games left in the season, and 42 points still up for grabs, Newcastle United have time to turn things around and climb the table. The Magpies are only four points behind 13th place (Southampton), which is where they finished last season, but 18th-placed Fulham are only two wins away from pulling the Toon into the bottom three.

Newcastle United were defeated by Chelsea last time out and a similar result is expected this weekend at Old Trafford against title-chasing Manchester United, but the Magpies are known for causing an upset every now and then. After Sunday, some winnable games are on the schedule and Newcastle United need to wake up in those clashes.

Newcastle United need to be at their absolute best in the following six games over the next few weeks.

Every game should be treated as a cup final by Newcastle United, but as fans we all know how serious their case of inconsistency is, especially under Steve Bruce. In order for Mike Ashley to save his £300m valuation of Newcastle United as a Premier League club, Newcastle United must, in my opinion, win four of these six games.

• February 27th – vs. Wolverhampton (H)
• March 6th – vs. West Brom (A)
• March 20th– vs. Brighton (A)
• April 10th – vs. Burnley (A)
• May 15th – vs. Sheffield United (H)
• May 23rd – vs. Fulham (A)

All of these games are winnable, but knowing how competitive the Premier League is, and also knowing how Newcastle fail to perform against inferior opponents at times, 18 points should not be expected.

12 points from these six games should be enough to maintain their cushion ahead of Fulham, but to also climb the table into the 14th or 15th place slots. Other games in which the Magpies have a decent shot at taking at least a point include Aston Villa (March 13th) and West Ham (April 17th), both home games.

It remains to be seen what situation the Toon will be in over the next few weeks, but now is the time for collective urgency and focus. Graeme Jones has gotten the best out of many players in the squad and that trend needs to continue in order to stay in the top flight.