Meltdowns, Newcastle United fans and winning trophies | OneFootball

I’m not going to go overboard and suggest there’s been an almighty meltdown from Newcastle United fans in response to yesterday’s defeat at Villa Park.

Although several remarks in the comments section on The Mag and also of course on social media, have certainly accentuated the negatives.

In reality, it was a devastating ten minute spell midway through the second half that did for us.

Okay, the soothsayers amongst us might have seen it coming, but genuinely, before BDB so unfortunately turned the ball into his own net, I was thinking we can nick at least a point here.

Rose-tinted specs and all that? Maybe, but given the form Newcastle United has been in, why not?

Despite yesterday’s defeat, looking at the Premier League form table this morning, we’re still top dogs and Opta still has us finishing in the Champions League spots.

The run in will be very interesting.

There’s still fifteen points to be won, whilst at the same time, there’s still lots of points to drop.

Chelsea are away to both ourselves and Nottingham Forest between now and the end of May.

The six pointers start as early as Tuesday.

Man City and Aston Villa square up to each other at the Etihad and both can’t win. They play then because they’re otherwise engaged at Wembley next weekend when a rejuvenated Newcastle United should despatch Ipswich Town at St James’ Park.

Our pursuit of Champions League qualification is all about the money, but we’ve been there before and although the trips to Milan, Paris and Dortmund will be fondly remembered, consider this.

Aston Villa did remarkably well to reach the last eight of the Champions League this season, but their dream was extinguished by a well drilled Paris St Germain side, who still have to get past Arsenal and one of a resurgent Barcelona or an obstinate Inter Milan if they are to get their hands on the big cup for the first time. Not at all easy.

Meanwhile, we have Premier League mediocrity competing in the semi-finals of the Europa League, and I’m not betting against either Man Utd or Tottenham winning that trophy next month. If neither of them succeed, you can put your house on Chelsea winning the Conference – remember the scenes when West Ham did it in 2023?

My point? Whilst we still look a good shout to finish top five, after the heights we scaled to win the League Cup last month, which was followed by an unimaginable outpouring of tears of joy, relief and massive celebration, that was as stark a reminder anyone needs that winning trophies is what it’s about.

Ending up in one of those lesser European competitions might even be a better outcome. After all, winning back to back cups surely tops finishing fifth and being dumped out of a cup at the quarter-final stage?