4 Tense Fixtures For Newcastle United To Save Themselves

Four fixtures left - but how many points can the Magpies actually collect?

By Chris Waugh /

As the full-time whistle was blown at St James' Park on Saturday one thing was noticeable - Newcastle United supporters were frustrated, angry and upset, yes, but they were also expectant. Defeats have become par for the course for John Carver's hapless men in recent weeks - with their seventh consecutive loss creating a new and unwanted Premier League record for the Magpies - and unfortunately Newcastle fans now turn up expecting to be disappointed. Swansea City had arrived in the North East with little-to-nothing to play for, having already accrued 47 points, yet in the second-half they showed more grit, more determination, more quality, more ambition and more tactical nous than the home side - and ran out deserved 3-2 victors. Carver looked like a man heading up a perilous creek without so much as a paddle as he hopelessly attempted to steer Newcastle on course to a much-needed victory - and, more worryingly, he looked desperately out of his depth. Relegation battles are not for the faint-hearted, or for inexperienced managers, yet the Magpies are heading into a final four-game showdown with a squad devoid of quality, a team devoid of leadership and passion, and a head coach devoid of the qualities needed to turn things around. Essentially Newcastle United have four fixtures to secure their Premier League future - and here's the verdict on how each of those matches will go and what the Magpies' final end-of-season points tally will be... For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.