Retired Greek professional footballer and former Newcastle United, Leicester City, Olympiacos and AEL defender, Nikos Dabizas, feels that securing a mid-table position in the Premier League next season will be classed as a success for Newcastle United . The Magpies return to the top flight after missing just one season but in that time a clutch of sides have gained ground on United due to the huge TV deal. Indeed, the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Burnley, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion have vast amounts to spend compared to Newcastle in this summer’s transfer window. And Dabizas, who played for Newcastle when qualifying for Europe was the benchmark, knows it will be tough next season. Dabizas told the Chronicle: “Finishing mid-table will be a success. “They are back in the Premier League but the competition is even tougher now. “I think we have to be realistic. “You have a manager who has experience and can make decisions. “He can handle the pressure. “He’s proved that in the past. “I guess these aren’t questions the fans are worried about right now, the only thing they need is to see the club stable, they are realistic in their expectations too.”
Nikos Dabizas
Newcastle fans have already been accused of having unrealistic expectations going into the new season. Earlier this year Craig Bellamy and Tim Sherwood suggested life would always be difficult on Tyneside as they believed the fans were expecting to bounce straight back into Europe. However, Dabizas feels the fans are braced for a tricky season: “They know what they are about to face in the Premier League. “They know it will be tough. “If the expectations are high you can end up having disappointment again. “Now they need stability and the balance.” Although, Dabizas, who reached two FA Cup finals with Newcastle in the nineties, is confident the club can succeed in the domestic competitions. The former defender added: “There is a realistic chance to win some silverware though. “It could be the FA Cup or it could be the EFL Cup. “The Premier League is competition that can feel like a marathon and it’s hard to upset the big clubs because they have time to recover if they make a mistake or have a bad patch of results. “The cups are sudden death and Newcastle can beat anybody at home on their day. “They can cause an upset in those competitions. “Newcastle have a chance and it’s where the club can show their aims and get success.”