The shock has faded, but the smiles are spreading. Newcastle United are not content with being the Premier League’s surprise packages, they want to become serious contenders again.
Most anticipate a slump at some point, most believe the Magpies have over-achieved after ten games, but nobody is denying they need to be taken seriously.
It may still be autumn and Guy Fawkes remains unburned, but a quarter of the Premier League campaign has already gone.
In case anyone needed reminding, Newcastle’s impressive 3-1 win at Stoke on Monday night moved them above Chelsea into third, one point behind Manchester United, three points ahead of Spurs, four clear of Liverpool and six better off than Arsenal.
Newcastle’s achievements cannot be dismissed as a flash in the pan success, their unbeaten start cannot be waved away as a quirk of the fixture list.
Detractors may point to their relatively easy run of games, but try telling Stoke City they are a push over at home. Try persuading Arsenal and Tottenham they are not good enough to play in the Champions League. All three have faced Newcastle this term and failed to beat them.
Stoke were made to look distinctly ordinary in front of supporters who have seen their side beat Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium this season and draw with Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs.
Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay Alan Pardew’s side is I wasn’t even surprised they won at Stoke.
Others were, most notably Gary Neville. The former Manchester United player has proven to be an excellent pundit for Sky Sports and was clearly impressed by what he had seen from the Magpies.
Not only did he concede that Demba Ba – eight goals in nine starts – was a far better player than he had ever given him credit for, he tipped Newcastle for Europa League qualification.
They will need some good luck along the way. Pardew has been careful not to say so publicly, but his squad lacks the strength in depth to cope with anything approaching an injury crisis.
Should either centre back, Fabricio Coloccini or Steven Taylor pick up an injury while Mike Williamson remains sidelined they are in trouble. Should Yohan Cabaye pick up an injury while Chiek Tiote recovers from a knee problem, it’s the same.
Foreign imports to English football normally start to feel the strain of a hectic schedule, the climate and the lack of a winter break around Christmas so we do not know how Cabaye, Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and, as he was injured last season, Hatem Ben Arfa are going to cope.
The fact Ben Arfa still cannot force his way into the starting line-up is encouraging of course and Marveaux provides cover for Obertan on the right, but there is not a specialist left-sided player to deputise for the industrious Jonas Gutierrez.
Newcastle are moving into unchartered waters and there are plenty of hazards waiting for them over the next month or so.
If Newcastle haven’t played anyone yet as some argue, they will play virtually anyone who is anyone in English football over the course of their next four games.
Everton arrive at St James’ Park this weekend, before the international break is followed by successive away games at Manchester City and United. After that Chelsea land on Tyneside.
Should Newcastle remain in the top four at the end of that daunting run of games, nobody can dismiss their European credentials.
Of course, there are other important questions to answer. The chief complaint against owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias has been the club’s performance in the transfer market, so will that also change for the better now the club is on firm financial ground?
Will Newcastle resist bids for their star players in January? Will they look to strengthen the squad from a position of strength?
Striker Modibo Maiga is expected to arrive from Sochaux in the New Year, but is there room in the budget for another centre-back and a left-winger as well?
Finally, will Coloccini finally put pen-to-paper on the new contract that has been “virtually agreed” for more than a month?
There are murmurings of interest from Liverpool for a player who will have one year left on his current deal at the end of this campaign.
Kenny Dalglish has already stolen Jose Enrique and Andy Carroll – albeit paying hugely over the odds for the latter – from his former club, he must not be allowed to take another.
If Newcastle really want to be taken seriously again, they must stop their best players signing for a rival which, at the moment, they look strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with once more.
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