Ex-Newcastle United and Sunderland forward Michael Bridges has backed the Magpies to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season.
United have collected five points from their opening three league games (W1 D2) and are yet to taste defeat in the Premier League. The Magpies are also set to bring in club record signing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad to further enhance their exciting new squad.
Bridges insists that Newcastle are currently riding ‘the crest of a wave’ and that their stellar form towards the end of last season coupled with their strong start to the new campaign makes them strong contenders.
“I felt my Twitter account go absolutely ballistic once Optus had put it out that I had Newcastle in the top four, I got laughed off the planet,” Bridges revealed on Optus Sport’s GegenPod.
“But when you consider how they finished last season, it was absolutely brilliant, they were in the top three anyway. I just knew Eddie Howe had recruited well, the players are buying into it, the atmosphere around the city is incredible at the moment. They know they are on the crest of a wave at the moment.”
Bridges has also been impressed by the new owners’ quest to improve the Newcastle women’s team. It was announced last week that they will officially become part of Newcastle United Football Club ahead of the 2022/23 season – a move that Bridges has described as ‘huge’ for the community.
“Amanda Staveley yet again has announced that the women’s team are going to get themselves in as paid players as well,” Bridges said.
“That’s a new step instead of it being a pathway for a development, there is a huge pathway for the women in the community, and that’s huge.”
READ NEXT
- Alexander Isak hope, 'outstanding' footballer bails Newcastle out and Darren Eales' timely trip
- Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak talk and makes Newcastle United transfer admission
- Newcastle United transfer news LIVE: Martin Dubravka interest and Alexander Isak 'bid accepted'
- We 'signed' Alexander Isak for Newcastle as Eddie Howe found his talisman
- Eddie Howe praises heroic Jamaal Lascelles as Newcastle battle to Carabao Cup win
