Will Newcastle United suffer Premier League relegation again? Magpies fan split on fate under Steve Bruce

The latest set of results from The Big Shields Gazette NUFC Survey are out – and this time we tackle United’s top flight fate this campaign, as well as where a club like Newcastle should be finishing in the Premier League.

On Monday we revealed fan thoughts on Steve Bruce and the impact of Graeme Jones, while Tuesday went over supporter confidence, or a lack of it, in the PIF, PCP and Reuben Brothers takeover bid for the football club. Wednesday brought fan expectations for any new owners, should that situation ever arise.

Today it’s the turn of the the club’s faltering season and whether that will result in relegation or safety.

As part of the survey we asked: “Where do you believe Newcastle United will finish this season?”

Options on the table for supporters were, as follows, “20th to 18th”, “17th to 15th”, “14th to 11th” and “Top 10 finish”.

As expected, just 0.8% of fans voted for a top 10 spot or lower mid-table. As is the way with these things, the votes in those boxes can only be put down to sabotage or mischief.

More telling, though, was the fact fans voted in favour of United remaining in the top flight – just!

In total, 49.9% of fans polled suggested they believe under-fire Bruce & Co will just do enough, while 49.3% think it will be a bottom three slot for the Magpies come May.

We also asked: “Where as a club should Newcastle United be aiming to finish?”

This result was more split, but still quite clear in the nature of the message.

Of those polled 57.5% believe United should, season-on-season, be aiming to finish in the top 10 of the Premier League, while 21% think a mid-table placing is acceptable.

Some fans were less ambitious, with “Retaining Premier League status” polling 7.1%.

And at the other end of the spectrum, 14.4% of supporters believe the Magpies should be a top six top flight club, even after 14 years of struggles.

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