There is a sense of bewilderment sweeping around the country at the moment as fans, players and pundits from around the country stared open mouthed at the Premier League table on Monday night. There is something about seeing Newcastle United occupy third position that leaves a bad taste in the mouths of some neutrals.
Monday night’s game at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke City was once again billed as their ‘biggest test of the season so far’, just like the meeting with Tottenham was two weeks prior. There is a sense in the press and from opposition fans that the Magpies don’t deserve to be holding such a lofty position in the top flight. After all they sold their best striker, captain and, according to some, the best left back in the league for big money and replaced them with cheap alternatives.
A manager that was disliked by the fans and an owner whose blood the fans thirsted after. Written off over the summer as dead certs for relegation and yet another implosion was prophesied with the club supposedly on the verge of breaking point. However, the polar opposite has happened and once again the black and white flag is flying high.
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They came through the acid test against the Potters, who were unbeaten at home conceding one goal in process, with flying colours. Demba Ba plundered his second hat-trick of the season in what was as comfortable a win as you would like against a side who are famed for their physical philosophies. Still, the acceptance of Newcastle holding their own in the top three was played down to the fact that they ‘haven’t played anyone yet’.
So far Alan Pardew’s men have played and taken points off five of last season’s top 10, not to mention beating FA Cup finalists Stoke, on the way to a 13-match unbeaten run stretching back to the previous season. They’re one of only a handful of teams still unbeaten in Europe alongside the likes of Barcelona, Benfica, FC Porto, Juventus and Manchester City. Surely that gives them a lick of credibility?
I’ll admit that I was worried about the season ahead after a tumultuous summer that was almost torn apart by Joey Barton, who seemed intent on causing mischief from his keyboard. The sales of Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique added to the hysteria that was gripping Tyneside as fans once again turned on Mike Ashley and manager Alan Pardew. Three months later and large portions of humble pie are being tucked into at an alarming rate.
