Though he rather spectacularly went off the boil against Hull City, looking more like a spectator on the pitch than an actual part of the team, Hatem Ben Arfa is the spark that Newcastle need to turn the squad from good to great. With international-level players in the squad like Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko and Loic Remy (and with the perennial hope that Papiss Cisse finds his form again) Newcastle have the right elements to certainly challenege for a top ten spot, but with an in form Ben Arfa, they have the kind of spark who could move that challenge on to the next level. It might look a little far off at the minute, considering Alan Pardew's side have lost two of the last three games 3-2, but a challenge for European competition might not be too much of an ask. Whether that potential qualification would mean a repeat of last year's struggle probably depends on the investment the team sees in the next two windows in terms of strengthening the right positions, as opposed to spending for the sake of it but it would be wrong to dismiss Newcastle as a number this year. Where do you think Newcastle United will finish this season? Share your thoughts below in the comments.
