Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey is backing Rafa Benitez’s side to be promoted from the Championship this season.
Speaking to the Shields Gazette, Howey believes that the Magpies squad is more than good enough to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking but he feels they need to ensure St James’ Park is a fortress so opposition sides fear coming to the ground:
“Looking at the team they’ve got to stand up and say ‘yes, we are the favourites, we need to show everyone why’. We need to really go and make St James’s a fortress. We should be OK though. It’s a very long campaign both in the league, and the cups.”
Newcastle have already lost twice in the league at home this season, to league leaders Huddersfield Town 2-1 as well as a surprise 2-0 defeat to Wolverhamption Wanderers. In contrast, their only loss on the road this season came on the opening day against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
One of the reasons for this is Benitez’s own tactics which lend themselves to being slightly more effective away from home. The Magpies’ most convincing result of the season so far came against Queens Park Rangers away at Loftus Road in a 6-0 win back in mid September.
