Sol Campbell believes Newcastle can aim for Europe
Aug 3 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
BULLISH Sol Campbell believes Newcastle United have enough quality to be aiming for a European qualification spot this season.
Some bookmakers have put United among the favourites for relegation following their promotion but Campbell, who finished last season in outstanding form for Arsenal, believes their experience means they can be challenging at the right end of the table.
Aware that he has joined a club where his every move will be watched with interest, the 36-year-old says he doesn’t have any hesitation about “putting his head on the block” and predicting a successful first season back in the Premier League.
Campbell, who sits out tonight’s friendly against Deportivo La Coruña in Spain and Saturday’s trip to Rangers, has ruled himself out of the Premier League opener at Manchester United but says he expects to be up to speed within a fortnight of the season’s start. And having rediscovered his hunger and passion, he maintains dreams of a return to the England set-up before the end of the season.
“I always say ‘shoot for the stars’ and honestly I think we should be aiming for Europe. I’m in it to win it here – I haven’t joined a club that is making up the numbers. It’s a big club that should be going for that,” he told The Journal.
“The good thing about Newcastle is we’ve got enough guys who have played at the very top. That will be invaluable this season for sure.
“It’ll calm us down when we’re winning games and we won’t be naive like other newly-promoted sides might be. Also, if we’re going through a bit of a sticky patch we’ll be able to stay calm and negotiate a way out of it.
“I’ll try my and best to make sure Newcastle are going in the right direction. For me, I love getting into Europe and that’s my goal with this club. I don’t mind putting my head on the block and saying that’s what this squad is capable of.” As well as Newcastle’s ambition and his strong relationship with Chris Hughton, Campbell said regular first-team football was his motivation for snubbing the overtures of Arsenal and Sunderland among others.
