Since the FAC exit at Man City we have won three games from four and drawn the other, albeit that draw representing two points lost against a poor Everton with so many chances missed to make it a good win. But concentrating on the positives is back in vogue after a winter of injuries and inactivity in the January window.

As I write, we are sixth on 50pts, ahead of Man U on the same total virtue of a far greater goal difference. Our defeated opponents, Tottenham are the side ahead of us in fifth with 60 points as we contemplate a run-in of six games to get to the end of a campaign not short of highs and lows.

The 4-0 win over Spurs certainly changed the mood around the whole club on the weekend gone and there’s a renewed feeling that despite every set-back we’ve had this term, we could end the season on a bit of a high by finishing in the European qualifying places. Whether that means a return to the Champions League or the consolation of the Europa League probably depends upon your outlook on life. As far as Newcastle United is concerned, I’ll freely admit the bruises of let-downs this club has given me over the years means my optimism will always be rationed but well, you never know and let’s keep looking up rather than down.

In the race to nail down sixth, the opposition is Man Utd in my opinion.  We can’t ignore West Ham but for me the main threat comes from the spooky faced Dutch bloke and Mr Hair Island at Old Trafford.

We all know our remaining games – Crystal Palace (a), Sheffield United (h), Burnley (a), Brighton (h), Man U (a) and Brentford (a). Man U have Sheffield Utd (h), Burnley (h), Palace (a), Arsenal (h), Newcastle United (h) and Brighton (a). The summary is we have two home games and four aways from our last six and they have the exact reverse. Funny how Man U has four home games from six in the last six isn’t it? Probably just silly old me and my cartel conspiracy theories and don’t get me on about the penalty Bournemouth didn’t get on Saturday after the VAR intervention. Wasn’t that a stroke of good fortune for them?

Anyway. I don’t think there’s a great deal of difference for United and Man U in terms of the quality of side we have to face (with the exception of Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford) but you might conclude four home games versus two gives the Red Devils an advantage in theory at least. Having Coventry in the FAC SF might be viewed as a distraction (I know) and on the assumption they beat the Sky Blues, thoughts on the Stretford End might turn to winning the FAC. Maybe this is the equivalent of whistling to keep myself cheerful?

I see us at a slight disadvantage but we don’t have a lot of pressure on us, we have a bit of momentum with a manager we believe in and on the latter point the uncertainty swirling around their man who knows, maybe that gives us something?

Villa’s win at Arsenal may have made us smile given the meltdown it caused in their part of the Home Counties but Emery’s men racking up 63 points means it is an incredible gap for us to close with them if we are harbouring any thoughts of reeling the Villains in. I don’t think that’s achievable with 18 points to play for.

Tottenham however on 60pts is a big ask with half a dozen games remaining but they are Spurs after all and their run-in is cause for optimism. Spurs face Arsenal (h), Chelsea (a), Liverpool (a), Burnley (h), Man City (h) and Sheffield Utd (a). That looks considerably more difficult than our own though whether it is as onerous for us to reel in a current 10pt deficit is the big cause for debate.

The cliché however is that we have to play each game one at a time and that starts with Palace (a) a week Wednesday. Selhurst Park is a challenging venue for us and buoyed by their victory at Anfield they have every reason to be in good heart facing Eddie Howe’s Mags. But if we want the prize of European football at whatever level, we have to go to south London and do the business. No-one is going to give us anything easily.

Despite all of the ups and downs of this season no-one can ever say United have lacked spirit. On Saturday we turned out Dubravka, Schar, Krafth, Murphy, Longstaff, who all played pre-takeover under Bruce. Anderson is an academy graduate and with all due respect to Blyth’s finest, Dan Burn can’t be described as a Gallowgate Galactico. Seeing Dummett and Ritchie run out is a reminder of just how thin our squad is and if you don’t believe me surely the sight of White from the academy replacing Guimarães will do the trick.

All who started had fine games even if it was the big money players Guimarães, Gordon and Isak who provided the magic to win the game in reality. Plenty supporters have raved about Elliot Anderson’s performance against strong opponents and now the Whitley Bay lad has proven how well he can play, his challenge is to do so consistently. Plenty of United’s dedicated media tipped Anderson to have his breakthrough season this time out but such predictions have been rendered null and void given his injury problems. These last half a dozen games are an opportunity for him to position himself for next season. We’re all right behind him in that regard.

Off the park last season wasn’t a bad one for United either. Not only did Ashley lose his court case against United regards the new up and coming Adidas merchandise – which won’t be sold from his manky shops, we also celebrated Joelinton putting his signature on a new four year contract so we will have the lion’s share of what remains of the Brazilian’s career. That was great news.

Joelinton’s commitment to United all of a sudden gives us a stronger look in the midfield department. Guimarães, Joelinton, Tonali, Longstaff, Anderson, Willock and Miley hint at a well-stocked area of the squad but as thoughts turn to the summer and rebuilding, we might still anticipate a further strengthening in that position. That’s for another day though.

We’ve got a spare weekend thanks to the FAC doings which might work in our favour given the lads we have carrying knocks. The extra time can only be a benefit to us.

But Palace is now massive for United. We have slipped up too often on the road and there is no margin for error in this run-in. Howe has done wonders with what he has had available to him to get us into a position where we are even discussing the remote possibility of Champions League qualification or the Europa League which is in reach.

One game at a time … play to win.

Keep On, Keepin’ On …

Michael Martin, @TFMick1892