Tottenham inspiring Newcastle United – Stranger things have… | OneFootball

We certainly can’t complain about the Tottenham contribution to the Newcastle United cause these past two years.

Five Premier League matches between the two clubs from October 2022 onwards, have seen United win four of the five and score 15 goals.

Now how about Tottenham proving to be the inspiration for Newcastle United right now?

Let me explain.

We need to head back less than eleven months in time…

BBC Sport report – 27 October 2024:

‘Tottenham secured yet another victory under new boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian has breathed new life into his side since joining from Celtic in the summer and this win extended Spurs’ run to eight wins and two draws from their opening 10 games.

The victory means Tottenham move on to 26 points, five ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal…’

Quite incredible isn’t it?

It brings it all flooding back, I had completely forgotten this with Tottenham at the start of last season.

Tottenham – First 10 matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season

Played 10 Won 8 Drawn 2 Lost 0 Goals Scored 22 Goals Conceded 9 Points 26

Points averaged per match – 2.40

Tottenham played pretty well BUT they also had everything going their way as well.

What topped it off was that outrageous/hilarious match when Tottenham were gifted that win over Liverpool, due to the incompetence of the match officials!

Anyway, no matter how it came about, there were Tottenham standing proudly at the top of the Premier League league on 27 October 2023, clear by five points.

I then want you to look at what happened next…

Tottenham – Final 28 matches of the 2023/24 Premier League season

Played 10 Won 12 Drawn 4 Lost 12 Goals Scored 52 Goals Conceded 52 Points 40

Points averaged per match – 1.42

Honestly, how bad is that???

When I say bad, I mean in relation to where they still managed to finish up last season.

The final Premier League table last season saw Aston Villa end up fourth on 68 points, with Tottenham just two points behind on 66 points.

That’s right, if only Tottenham had won at St James’ Park in April instead of getting hammered 4-0, they and not Villa would have been in the Champions League this season.

Indeed, if the English clubs hadn’t messed up in Europe last season, Tottenham would have still qualified for the Champions League, with fifth place in the Premier League getting awarded one of the two bonus places, reserved now for the two leagues that perform best in Europe the season before.

I know we are only four Premier League matches into this season but Newcastle United already on 10 points from a possible 12.

Eddie Howe’s team haven’t really clicked yet, apart from in small patches of matches, but a combination of excellent defending, big moments and things going our way, have delivered those 10 points.

I look at the next three games and especially if performances start to improve, I could well see Newcastle getting wins at Fulham and Everton, plus say a point at home to Man City.

If Newcastle United go into that October international break with say 17 points from a possible 21, you can’t help but wonder what could be possible with that platform to go from.

When you consider Tottenham won only 12 of their final 28 Premier League matches last season and yet still finished fifth, only two points off top four, sums up just  how valuable a quick start to the season can be.

If Newcastle United can make it their sixth win in a row against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, I might just dare to dream…

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed to end of November:

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 10 November – Forest v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports