Redknapp: “They played well first half (against Sunderland), they looked good but the penalty and sending off changed everything.
“I think they’ve shown enough to suggest they’ve got a chance but it’s going to be tight down there.
“There’s going to be six or seven teams scrapping away in that relegation battle and at the moment, you wouldn’t really like to call it.”
Despite Sunday’s disappointing result, there is the sense that Newcastle may have reached a turning point, with McClaren finally settling on his best XI and those players finally buying into his methods.
As ever, squad depth remains an issue, with very little in reserve should any of the Magpies’ key men be struck down by injury, and maintaining the fitness of their first-choice front six will be crucial if Newcastle are to keep hold of their Premier League status.