 ALAN Smith believes Newcastle United’s new signings will provide the team with a timely lift after a stuttering start to 2010. Although Newcastle remain top of the table – a position they have held for the last three months – their lead has been cut to four points, winning just one of their last five Championship games. That dip in form has given hope to promotion rivals Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion, although both have suffered slip-ups of their own since the start of the year to leave Newcastle out in front. However, Smith feels the strengthening of the squad has come at an ideal time as it has added competition for places as well as offered cover in crucial areas following long-term injuries to José Enríque and Steven Taylor. With Leon Best bolstering a strike force which has struggled for regular goals – particularly with Shola Ameobi’s campaign once again ravaged by injuries – and Fitz Hall, Patrick van Aanholt and Mike Williamson offering different options at the back, Smith is confident Newcastle have the weapons they need to complete their promotion mission. He said: “It’s given everyone a boost, the last couple of lads came in only two days ago and a couple of them played against Leicester. “That can be difficult, but they’re all good lads, they know what we expect and they know how difficult this league is, because they’ve all played in it before. That’ll stand us in good stead. “From the game against Palace last Wednesday night we’ve got nine games in a month, it’s going to be interesting, there’ll be lots of ups and downs and we have to keep battling on.” Newcastle were expected to find the hustle and bustle of the Championship too much for their pampered Premier League egos in the summer but, with Smith (pictured below) an inspirational force, they have defied the gloomy pre-season predictions. Complacency, though, remains their biggest enemy and the inability to turn draws into wins means nothing can be taken for granted with four months of the campaign remaining. Smith is sensible enough to realise how difficult it will be for the Magpies to hold off the challenge from West Brom and Nottingham Forest, especially as he knows every team will be even more desperate to beat them if they suspect Newcastle’s stay in the second tier is only going to be a temporary one. He said: “We’ve got 19 games left, if we can win 10 or 12 of them we won’t be far short of making sure we get one of the automatic promotion places, which was the only objective we had at the start of the season. “But I wouldn’t say we’re in touching distance yet. No, it’s a long way off, 19 games to go, and it’s going to be 19 cup finals because every teams wants to do well against Newcastle, whether it’s in front of their own fans or when they come to St James’. “Every game we’ve had this season has been difficult and every one we’re going to have will be difficult as well – because that is the way it is in this division.” Smith acknowledged the fears of those who feel the team have lost their way a little in recent weeks, a disappointing run which has not seen them win away from home since December 9 further inflamed by the goalless draw against Leicester last weekend. Smith added: “Once you’re playing against 10 men you get a bit more anxious and think you should be attacking more. “The best teams seem to know how to play against 10 men. But the expectation’s on us now to go and win games. That’s not happened here for quite a while and it’s a new experience for us – but we’d rather be in the position we are than anywhere else.” | 
Article
