BBC pundit makes bold prediction on when Newcastle United could lift the Premier League title

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks has been impressed with Newcastle United’s progress under the ownership of a PIF-led consortium and believes the Magpies can challenge for major silverware within the next four years.

Speaking in his weekly BBC Team of the Week column, Crooks lauded the performances of United duo Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron as they continued their recent fine form with sparking displays in Saturday’s home hammering of Brentford.

Describing two-goal hero Bruno as ‘quite outstanding’ and Almiron as ‘in great form’, the former Spurs striker was highly critical of the Bees display at St James Park and praised Eddie Howe’s side for their hardworking performance that helped punish a whole host of errors from the visitors.

But it Crooks’ comments on the first year of the PIF-led consortium’s ownership of the club and what could lie ahead in the near-future that will excite and intrigue the St James Park faithful.  United supporters celebrated the first anniversary of the highly-anticipated takeover with a stunning pre-match Wor Flags display before Howe and his players played their part with a clinical display on the pitch.

Crooks swiped at suggestions the consortium could have taken ‘a more attractive business proposition’ at Chelsea and made a bold prediction over the Magpies landing a first major piece of domestic silverware since 1955 in the not-too-distant future.

He wrote: “One year into the controversial Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle United and there’s not been one mention of Mike Ashley. Ask most Geordies about the takeover and they only want to talk about the future and the possibilities. There was a feeling that Amanda Staveley and her consortium might have been a little out of their depth having originally tried and failed to buy the North East club.

“Some even thought she may have acted in haste having bought Newcastle, only to see Chelsea suddenly become available, which might have been seen as a more attractive business proposition by some.

“However, what has taken place since the arrival of Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben at St James’ Park has been nothing short of remarkable. It started with the astute appointment of Eddie Howe, followed by the arrival of the former Football Association technical director Dan Ashworth.

“There have also been the signings of a number of carefully selected players who haven’t cost a fortune, at least at modern-day prices, and are there for the long haul. What is most impressive is the owners have got on with the business of running the club quietly and effectively. At this rate a Premier League title is not out of the question in four years. What a prospect.”

Newcastle will face a major test of their credentials when they visit Manchester United on Sunday looking for only a second Premier League win at Old Trafford.