Four Wins For Toon Safety!

Nevertheless, there were some real positives for Hughton and the black-and-white masses to take from the defeat.

Michael Owen's long-anticipated return from another injury is one, even though it's pretty obvious that the England international will be leaving at the end of the season.

Will his return against Hull City, in the game described as 'the relegation cup final', provide a quick-fix? Let's hope it does!

We have ten games left and everybody looks towards the 40 points mark as safety.

But records show that West Ham went down with 42 points.

However, the third relegation spot this season has constantly been 'one point per game' - 15 games played, the side in 18th place has 15pts - just as it is 27 games played ... 27pts.

That suggests 38pts is far from safety, and it could take more that 40pts to guarantee Premiership football next term.

Newcastle need four wins (or three wins and three draws) from the following games ...

Saturday 14th March 2009
Hull City v Newcastle 15.00

Saturday 21st March 2009
Newcastle v Arsenal 17.30

Saturday 04th April 2009
Newcastle v Chelsea 15.00

Saturday 11th April 2009
Stoke City v Newcastle 17.30

Saturday 18th April 2009
Tottenham v Newcastle 15.00

Monday 27th April 2009
Newcastle v Portsmouth 20.00

Saturday 02nd May 2009
Liverpool v Newcastle 15.00

Saturday 09th May 2009
Newcastle v Middlesbrough 15.00

Saturday 16th May 2009
Newcastle v Fulham 15.00

Sunday 24th May 2009
Aston Villa v Newcastle 16.00

Will they get them?

I believe they will, four from Hull City, Arsenal, Stoke City, Portsmouth, Boro or Fulham ... six games that are certainly within our capabilities.

RELEGATED SIDES IN RECENT YEARS ...

2007/9
Reading 36
Birmingham 35
Derby Co 11

2006/7
Sheffield Utd 38
Charlton 34
Watford 28

2005/6
Birmingham 34
West Brom 30
Sunderland 15

2004/5
C. Palace 33
Norwich 33
S'hampton 32

2003/4
Leicester 33
Leeds 33
Wolves 33

2002/3
West Ham United 42
West Bromwich Albion 26
Sunderland 19