OPINION
Newcastle United are nearly there.
After a dire start to the season that looked for all the world as if it was the precursor to a return to the Championship next year, the Magpies have managed to drag themselves to a position that probably means that one win will be enough to secure their survival for another campaign.
After slumping to successive defeats against Arsenal and Crystal Palace in their last two outings, the Magpies will be desperate to ensure that it isn’t three on the bounce when they face Leicester City on Friday evening, but that could be a whole lost easier said than done.
Or at least that’s the way that Toon favourite Nobby Solano sees it.
Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: “Leicester have changed manager and Brendan Rodgers is a good operator.
“They play good football and have won four games in a row so you have to respect them.
“Every game in the Premier League is tough but this one easily fits into that category.
“The thing with Leicester is they are under no pressure, they have survived in the Premier League with ease and they are not expected to get into Europe but have a great chance, but they look like they’re up for it.”
It’s all well and good for Solano to come out and warn his side about the Foxes’ virtues, but he’s a little way wide of the mark on one key thing.
The Magpies cannot afford to go to the King Power and show Leicester any respect.
That’s not to say that they don’t deserve it, because they do, but if the Toon Army are to go and pick up that vital three points in the Midlands, then they need to rock up and stamp their authority on the game.
Gone are the days of Leicester sitting and soaking up a barrage of pressure before unleashing a Jamie Vardy counterattack, this is a side capable of keeping hold of possession and picking you off slowly.
United have to show they mean business, and that isn’t going to happen if they allow Rodgers’ side to do whatever they want.
While Solano means well, his remarks could undermine the confidence the Magpies’ squad have about getting a result against Leicester.
