Newcastle are in the midst of a dramatic run of poor form that has seen them drop ten places in the league. The first month of the season they were hovering around the top five and things were looking rosy.

Are Newcastle too good to get relegated

They came into the league with high expectations of qualifying for the champions league after finishing 5th last year, and based upon their early league form, those expectations did not look out-of-place.

But things have taken a drastic turn in the last 6 weeks and they now find themselves in the doldrums. Where from the last 21 available points Newcastle have only picked up 3. By all accounts those kind of results will get you relegated.

The core of their problems can be hi lighted in a number of key areas. First the team has lost a lot of consistency and continuity due to injuries and suspensions, which have taken a heavy toll. Second, the demands of the Europa league with its additional travel and games has been difficult with Newcastle’s small and depleted squad. And probably the biggest reason for the drop off is; a number of the top players, simply aren’t replicating the form of last year, striker Cisse in particular is a main culprit.

The talk of relegation may be premature, but a bad run over the Christmas period could find themselves in the bottom three and knee-deep in the relegation battle.

Manager Alan Pardew will be looking for the opening of the January transfer window to bring in reinforcements to stop the slide.