Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies not safe yet, Harper
NEWCASTLE may sit tenth in the Premier League with eight games left, but goalkeeper Steve Harper insists there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the club's top-flight status next season.[LNB] Some observers expected the Magpies to struggle on their return to the Premier League, but Alan Pardew's side have surprised a few and are looking comfortable with the season coming into its final two months.[LNB] In reality, the Tynesiders are still four points shy of the 40-point mark which would all but guarantee their safety, and a closer look at the table suggests that, despite their top-half position, a string of bad results could see them sucked into a relegation battle.[LNB] They sit just five points off the bottom three with crucial games against sides below them, as well as clashes with Manchester United and Chelsea, to come.[LNB] Forty points might be considered the safety mark by many, but Harper believes that total could be higher this season.[LNB] "It has happened in the past that teams have gone down with 40 points, even 42," said the 35-year-old.[LNB] "Glenn Roeder used to tell us every day that he took a team down with 42 points at West Ham.[LNB] "So that may well be the case again this season.[LNB] "There remains a lot of work to be done and we are expecting nothing but a tough game next week at Stoke, which is always a difficult place to go.[LNB] "After that, we've got home games against Wolves, Birmingham and West Brom, and they're going to be big games. We've also got Manchester United to play at home and they're going to be chasing for the title."[LNB] Meanwhile, Newcastle chiefs yesterday denied that talks had been held with Indian tycoon Anil Ambani over the possible sale of the club.[LNB] There had been reports the Magpies could be subject to a £200m bid from the billionaire businessman, who is thought to have been interested in acquiring the club three years ago.[LNB] Ambani is chief of Reliance ADA group but Newcastle have distanced themselves from any such takeover talk.[LNB]
