We are still in control | OneFootball

Saturday saw mixed fortunes for Newcastle United, in terms of impact on Champions League chances of qualification.

Manchester City surprisingly failed to beat a very poor and already relegated Southampton in a goalless draw of few clear chances.

Then Aston Villa went to Bournemouth and got a very good narrow 1-0 win from their perspective, to tighten the gap up further in the race for the Champions League places.

I read comments from Newcastle United fans expressing concern about Aston Villa now potentially sneaking into the Champions League ahead of NUFC, by beating both Man United and Tottenham in their final league matches.

Aston villa may well win those two games, as Man U and Spurs have been simply awful, however, I’d still rather our position to Aston Willa.

We are in control of our fate and so I don’t see any point worrying about being caught by Aston Villa.

I think for time now, we could see it was simply always going to boil down to the final two games at St James’ Park, as the matches crucial to our chances for the Champions League next season.

If Newcastle United beat Chelsea and Everton, we are there.

It wouldn’t matter how we got on against Arsenal or what Aston Villa do (providing they don’t win both games by eight or nine goals or so…) if we win both we end the season ahead of Villa.

We would also 100% finish higher than at least one of Forest or Chelsea, due to the two teams playing each other on the final day.

It is well in our control.

We simply have to win the two remaining games at St James’ Park, it’s that simple.

There will be nerves naturally but the critical thing is that we are still in control of securing a Champions League place.

Just focus on beating Chelsea and Everton at home, that’s it.

If we can’t win those games, when it now ultimately matters, then there’s no excuses on our part.

Currently out here in Turkey on holiday, I’ll be back in the bar later with a ‘few’ beers in the sun, full of confidence and watching us do a job on Chelsea.