Hatem Ben Arfa has insisted that Newcastle United can challenge for the Premier League title this season.The Magpies pressed for a top-four spot throughout last term but were just edged out by Tottenham and Arsenal, eventually finishing fifth but the Frenchman believes his team-mates have enough quality to improve on that placing.

Ben Arfa told The Evening Chronicle: “All the players have stayed here. I think we have to have confidence as we have very good players.

“Maybe if we feel very good we can finish between fourth and first. Why not? Why can we not say we could be champions? Anything is possible.

“We can challenge for it. We have good players, a good stadium and great supporters. We have to have confidence. I believe we can do what I say.”

--

Let's look at Newcastle's XI and Squad first..




Squad:

GK:
Tim Krul
Steven Harper
Rob Elliot

DF:
Davide Santon (Fullback)
Danny Simpson (Fullback)
Ryan Taylor (Fullback)
Shane Ferguson (Fullback)
Fabio Colocinni (Centerback)
Steven Taylor (Centerback)
Mike Williamson (Centerback)
James Perch (Centerback/Fullback)

MF:
Hatem Ben Arfa (Wide)
Jonas Gutierrez (Wide)
Sylvain Marveaux (Wide)
Gabriel Obertan (Wide)
Sammy Ameobi (Wide)
Yohan Cabaye (Central)
Cheik Tiote (Central)
Dan Gosling (Central)
Medhi Abeid (Central)
Gael Birgirimana (Central)
Haris Vuckic (Central Attacking)

ST:
Papiss Cisse
Demba Ba
Shola Ameobi

As we all know, Newcastle have a very strong starting team. It contains players that are capable of being top in their positions. Their subs however are not what you would say are quality enough to win you a league title, given the squads of the other teams within the top 6. We can't really be fooled by the squad, this is almost the same team they had going into the 2011-2012 season where many thought they would wind up mid table..

They have an excellent manager in Alan Pardew who makes them play beautiful football football where all the players strengths taken into account, when playing this football they are almost unstoppable.

I don't think they will challenge through and through, but I think they are capable of reaching a CL spot. Last season was only the beginning. They've managed to keep their strongest players and are looking to reinforce..

What's your take?

Highest they can aim for is 4th imo. The other top squads are simply better. Newcastle will also be strengthening however.

I think they can do it why not.

I want to try what Hatem is taking

They can give a good challenge, however by the middle of the second half of the season it'll stop, good top 4 contenders if they invest well but there are many better clubs in my opinion.

never

Art Morte wrote:That's what players do, they talk up their team's chances.

Obviously Newcastle won't challenge for the title.

This, as far as top 4 goes we still need 3 genuine quality additions if we get them then we can finish there although it would still depend on others failing as on paper we are probably 6th best.

Although Hatem did say something at the beginning of last season as well....

" we will challange for 4th this season " and we did so maybe he's a prophet.

But seriously top 6 and deep runs in FA Cup and Europa League would make for a fantastic season.

They can finish fourth. I think they will be better than Chelsea next season

1) City
2) Arsenal
3) Man U
4) Newcastle

seems like a logical top 4 to me

Their starting 11 is good as any and they don't need to gel because they haven't made moves for some players. I can see them being TOP 4 in the first half of the season. If some teams screw up, even staying there, but realistically I expect Chelsea to be more consistent this time so the TOP 4 is fixed. The order of that TOP 4 is questionable though.

Top 4 is only really possible with a few signings, atm the squad isn't strong enough to deal with 4 competitions and compete for a CL spot.

No way. They wont even end top 4. And they dont play beautiful imo.

free_cat wrote:No way. They wont even end top 4. And they dont play beautiful imo.

You obviously didn't watch us during our 7 game winning run.....

In any case we know we won't win the league it's just Hatem being Hatem even the Newcastle fans are laughing at him but we love him for being the nutter he is.

Said before top 6 would be great.

I think top 6 for Newcastle at the minute but if they keep getting european football they can get good international players to join the club.

Top 4 is a possibility but saying they can contend for the title is a bit too far.

That, and this.