Newcastle United fans were dismayed at the result of the League Cup final on Sunday, as their team fell to a 2-0 defeat against rivals Manchester United.

Sadly, Newcastle are also out of the FA Cup, having been knocked out in the third round by League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday. Therefore, the only thing left remaining for the Toon is the Premier League – which they have very little chance of winning, given the 16 point gap between them and league leaders Arsenal.

Therefore, the Magpies aren’t likely to win a trophy this year – their search for silverware continues. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom.

If Newcastle can address their blip of poor form quickly enough, they could be on course for their highest league finish since 2003, when they ended the season in 3rd place.

To do this, they’ll need to finish above Manchester United and Tottenham, who sit third and fourth respectively at the moment. Even still, should the Toon finish above just one of the aforementioned teams, they will qualify for the Champions League next year – something they have also not done since 2003.

Newcastle have some tough games coming up from now until the end of the season, including matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United (yes, again). With this being said, they also have four games against teams in the bottom five of the Premier League – Everton, West Ham, Leeds and Southampton.

On top of this, Newcastle do not have any major injury concerns at this point in time – Nick Pope is suspended, Bruno Guimaraes has a minor injury and Emil Krafth has been out for the season, but this is where their injury list ends.

Since last qualifying for Europe’s biggest club competition, Newcastle have spent two (albeit brief) spells in the Championship – it has been a while since the Toon have enjoyed such a positive campaign.

Qualifying for the Champions League should be Newcastle’s aim for the rest of the season. They’re more than capable of doing so – but will they?