BBC pundit Garth Crooks has said he believes Newcastle will ‘run out of gas’ after their impressive start to the Premier League season.
After back-to-back defeats in their opening two games, the Magpies have since won their last three games and sit 4th in the table after gaining promotion back to England’s top flight only last season.
However, despite their good form, Crooks thinks it is only a matter of time before it comes to an end.
“It’s absolutely buzzing at St James’ Park at the moment and I’m not surprised with Jamaal Lascelles leading their charge.” said Crooks in his BBC Sport ‘Team of the Week’ column (via The Chronicle).
“Their captain looks a real danger on set-pieces for Newcastle – scoring against Swansea last weekend – and so it proved again as he towered above the Stoke defence to nod home the winner.
“It was ironic that Lascelles found himself remonstrating with referee Stuart Attwell about his refusal to award the Magpies a penalty just before that. I must say I agreed with Attwell – Kurt Zouma did make contact with the ball.
“However, it was from the ensuing corner kick that Lascelles got his rewards. He should have scored earlier in a similar situation but put too much into the header.
“This is heroic stuff from these Newcastle lads but be sure they will soon run out of gas. It is imperative that Rafa Benitez is allowed to continue developing this team in January because this bubble will burst. ”
Newcastle travel to Brighton this weekend as they look for their fourth win on the bounce.
