The Magpies continued their impressive start to life in the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao
Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the second goal against Athletic Bilbao
Joelinton of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the second goal against Athletic Bilbao
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Newcastle United need their wingers to 'click' into gear in the Premier League if they are to replicate their excellent Champions League form domestically.
That is the verdict of the club's former goalkeeper Tim Krul, who feels the Magpies will be 'right up there' in the Premier League table at the end of the season despite their stuttering start.
Newcastle ran out 2-0 winners over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton lifting them up to sixth in the league phase table.
With qualification to the knockout stages looking likely and a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham pencilled into the calendar next month, the challenge now is for Newcastle to improve their inconsistent form in the Premier League.
And Krul has outlined who he believes Eddie Howe's side can achieve it.
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"The leadership in that team throughout that whole core, Trippier assisting Dan Burn with an amazing free-kick and Joelinton chipping in, they just have amazing experience now," Krul told BBC Radio 5Live's Football Daily.
"I look at Newcastle two or three years ago where it was the first time they were up there but they have the belief that they belong at this level.
"They want to challenge in every single competition and they are. They are in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, three wins on the bounce in the Champions League but obviously domestically they have to improve and they know that.
"I think they will be right up there towards the end of the season and they just need their wingers to click in like they have in the Champions League and do it domestically."
Krul also praised the impact of Joelinton in the win over Athletic Bilbao and feels the club's summer transfer business has improved the squad depth Howe has at his disposal.
"He deserved it and he has been up there with the top, top players over the last couple of years," Krul added.
"I think Eddie Howe was really keen to freshen up the squad and I think they have this summer. There was a lot of talk about transfers in and out but if you look at that squad now, there is a real fight for places and competition there.
"I think that is what Eddie wants. He doesn't want people sitting there expecting to play every week and I think you have got a good mix with the leadership group of Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier and their midfield is up there with the best in Europe at the moment.
"I think things are looking good but obviously we are scrutinising the away record we have spoken about. Eddie will be really happy at the moment to see some injured players coming back tonight as well."