Toon midfielder wants strong start

Toon midfielder wants strong start  | read this item

Newcastle United midfielder Alan Smith wants the Magpies to return to the Premier League with all the confidence that they built up during a dominant campaign in the Coca Cola League Championship last season. The Tyneside outfit claimed first place well before the end of the season but it remains to be seen whether that form will translate to substantial success in the top flight.

As far as Smith is concerned, starting on a positive note is a must. Rather than looking at the teams above, the former Manchester United player wants to acquire as many points as possible from the club’s first ten fixtures.

Speaking to BBC Newcastle, the 29-year old said: “We’ll go in there confident and winning the Championship breeds confidence. We’ve got to maintain that confidence as long as possible.”

He added: “The first 10 games of any Premier League season are vital to see how you’ll stand. Say Hull a few years ago, they were flying at the start of the season, and it gave them that chance to drop off, you don’t ever want to be chasing [points].”

Smith will reunite with his former teammates at Old Trafford to kick-off the Magpies’ season on August 16. The last time Newcastle visited United was when they grinded out an impressive goalless 1-1 draw to start their season two years ago, but after that they ended the year with a shocking relegation.

Chris Hughton must be hoping that the season culminates in a better way for his team this time around.

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