Newcastle United have set themselves up for what could be a grandstand finish this season.
After a season like no other in terms of injuries, crazily difficult cup draws and Sandro Tonali’s long-term ban from football, Newcastle are now in the driving seat for a place in the Premier League’s top six.
That would bring Europa League football to St James’ Park next season and represent a remarkable achievement for Eddie Howe and his coaching staff given the chaotic nature of this campaign.
Indeed, the form since returning from the international break has been fantastic, even if performances weren’t overly convincing.
Still, the 4-0 win over Tottenham last weekend means Newcastle are now level on points with Manchester United in the battle for the top six. Not only are Erik ten Hag’s side hugely inconsistent, Newcastle have already beaten them twice this season and have them still to play.
One of the major players during this good run of late has to be Lewis Hall.
The defender struggled for game time during his loan spell before this summer’s £28m move to the club amid a belief Howe did not think he was ready enough defensively to deal with regular first-team football.
While there is still a long way to go on that front, Hall is only 19 and has recently been praised by teammates such as Bruno Guimaraes.
Now, he’s sent a message about what he’s been trying to do in training.
Lewis Hall now offers insight from Newcastle training ground
Speaking to The Chronicle about his recent improvement, Hall said: “Whenever I am playing I want them to feel confident in me. I want them to feel the excitement.
“I want to give something going forward and defensively as well which I have been working on and improving. It is a big thing for me to show the fans what I can do. Hopefully, as time goes on they will appreciate it more and more.”
Lewis Hall has impressed at the right time at Newcastle
It would be foolish to suggest Hall is suddenly absolutely perfect defensively. At 19, that’s simply never going to happen.
However, to have made improvements before his summer move feels important for his Newcastle career. He’s now got momentum heading into next season.
We’ve seen Anthony Gordon take a while to adapt to life under Howe. While not to suggest Hall should be quite as good as the winger next season, there’s certainly a precedent when it comes to this kind of thing.
There are reasons to be excited.
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