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Key Points of the Weekend

jonjoward1998

Could this season be a reality check for Newcastle?


Expectations have been high at Newcastle since the Saudi-backed takeover happened three years ago, and especially in the last two years.


They've struggled to live up to those expectations this season as they currently sit in 12th and have been inconsistent all season. Is this season likely to be a reality check for the Magpies?


They raised the bar incredibly high two seasons ago when they finished 4th and qualified for the Champions League. They finished 7th the following season and whilst that wasn't as high a finish, it was still another good season, considering that they were dealing with European football for the first time in a long time.


I was expecting them to have another decent outing this season as they had no European football to distract them like it did last season. But a European challenge seems to be a longshot now as they're 12th and in patchy form.


Eddie Howe wasn't at all helped by owners in the summer as they made very few signings to improve the team. But with the quality they had in their squad, I was still expecting them to push for Europe again because of them not being in Europe.


Due to the form they've been in this season, the last two seasons may look like overachievements. If their inconsistent form continues, this season could be a reality check for them.


Are Bournemouth pushing for Europe?


Bournemouth have been one of those sides who have quietly gone under the radar this season and it's about time they got some praise. They're in good form after winning their last three games and are currently 8th and level on points with 7th placed Brighton.


Are they pushing for Europe?


Their recent form will definitely give them confidence and belief that they can finish in those spots because they'll want to keep up the current form they've been in for as long as they can.


But whether they can keep it up is another question as they're not used to being in this position, and most teams who are in this position at this stage of the season do see their form dry up a bit. Also, there are teams behind them in the table who are not far off the European places.


There is still a long way to go, but if they keep up the current form they're in over the next month or two, they could be a contender for a European spot.


Is Fulham draw an opportunity missed for Arsenal?


Liverpool's game with Everton being postponed was supposed to give the teams below them the chance to reduce the gap at the top. Chelsea made the most of the opportunity by winning their game against Spurs to cut the gap to four points. But Arsenal didn't as they could only manage a draw at Fulham.


Could their draw be an opportunity missed?


Arsenal's title challenge began to fade during October and the start of November as they failed to win a game during that period. But they have got it back on track in recent weeks following three straight wins against Southampton, West Ham and Man United.


They will have learnt from last season that they can't afford to slip up on any occasion as the slip ups they had last season led to them missing out on the title. Their draw with Fulham will feel like a slip up because Liverpool's postponed game against Everton presented them with an opportunity to reduce the gap between themselves and Liverpool.


They are still in the title race, but come the end of the season, their draw with Fulham could be seen as an opportunity missed.


Postecoglou is under pressure


It's been a frustrating and inconsistent season so far from Spurs as they've been unable to string a run of results together. They have played some excellent football at times, but have had moments where they've shot themselves in the foot and those moments have led to them to dropping crucial points.


Their defeat to Chelsea was one of them as they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3. They started the game very strongly in the first half but in the second, they made some costly mistakes that led to them to losing the game.


With Spurs now 11th in the league and fans beginning to become frustrated with their team's results and performances, I have to say that manager Ange Postecoglou is a man under pressure.


I said that he would be under pressure going into the Chelsea game had they failed to win both the game against Chelsea and the one against Liverpool in two weeks time. But now I've decided to bring that statement forward by two weeks because of where they are in the table.


The football they play under Postecoglou is brilliant to watch for the neutral, but it leaves them very open at the back. He's never going to change the way his team play as he has said so on a number of occasions and his inability to be adaptable has cost his team a lot of points. I don't see that changing any time soon because Postecoglou is someone who will stick to his principles.


If Spurs' league position doesn't improve over the next month and if Postecoglou continues not to be adaptable in games, the board may have a big decision to make.

 
 
 

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