When Newcastle United were thumped 4-2 at Brentford's Gtech Stadium on December 7, the mood around the club was bleak. The Magpies may have drawn 3-3 with Premier League leaders Liverpool in a thriller just a few days earlier, but the Brentford battering left them facing many questions.

Many of those questions and concerns came from Alan Shearer a few days later. Writing in his column for the Athletic, he delivered a stinging criticism of the club, proclaiming PIF's takeover "project" at a crossroads, with major questions to ask about where the club was headed.

"As a team, they’ve gone stale and as a club, they’ve stalled," he wrote. It was hard to disagree with him. Newcastle were stuck in the bottom half, 12th with five wins, five draws and five losses. Harsh words were needed - and the club has since responded. Fast forward to today and six Premier League wins on the bounce have propelled Eddie Howe's side into the top four.

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Different questions are being asked now. Shearer was quizzed by Match of the Day host Mark Chapman on Wednesday night about whether the nine-point gap between Newcastle and Liverpool was too big to close. "No it's not," he answered. "The form they're in, the way they're looking - defensively solid, clean sheets. Midfield - there's no doubt they've got the system going. And, with him [Alexander Isak] up front, they've got a chance."

So are Newcastle really in the Premier League title race? Our writers give their verdict on how the season is shaping up for the Magpies.

Lee Ryder

The scars of losing a 12-point lead in the Premier League title race back in 1996 will never go away - even if Newcastle go on to win half a dozen top-flight trophies.

So that also suggests that Liverpool, with a nine-point advantage over Newcastle plus a game in hand, can't rest so easily. But in reality, Newcastle would pretty much need to win 15 or 16 of their last 17 matches and rely on the Reds completely throwing it away. That feels like too much of a big ask. Yet Newcastle's aims this season were never about winning the title or even challenging for it.

With games against Chelsea (h), Nottingham Forest (h), Liverpool (a) and Man City (a), Newcastle can lay a glove on the teams in the title race. A Champions League place is fine. And there's still both domestic cups to go at.

Are Newcastle in the title race? No. Can they influence it? Absolutely.

Ciaran Kelly

Nothing is impossible, right? Arsenal were 13 points behind Manchester United at the end of December and still won the title in 1998....

This side, fitness permitting, have one of the meanest defences in the league; a midfield capable of going up against anyone; and the best striker around. However, that being said, for me, the narrative has swung far too wildly from Newcastle being supposed no hopers in the bottom half just six weeks ago to sudden dark horses in the title race. The truth lies somewhere in between.

The secret to this side's climb up the table has been just taking one game at a time and seeing where that takes them. I do not expect that to change.

Finishing in the top four would be an almighty achievement if Newcastle can stay there - and that is not for a lack of ambition. Quite the opposite when you consider the wage bills of some of the Magpies' rivals.

Aaron Stokes

One of Gary Lineker's three MOTD replacements is already proving his worth by asking the tough questions, such as: Are Newcastle United in a title race? It was a Mark Chapman question that Toon legend Alan Shearer wasn't expecting - and didn't look all too comfortable answering. The former No 9 laughed and sheepishly smiled his way through his response as he tried his very best to display conviction while listing reasons why Newcastle CAN win the league. However, I'm not sure. even Big Al truly believes it!

I, for one, don't yet see Eddie Howe's side as title race contenders. Not to do the in-form club a disservice but catching Arne Slot's Liverpool looks some task for this squad who are nine points back and potentially just one or two injuries away from looking a tad short in certain areas again.

It's also telling that despite Newcastle's stunning run, both Liverpool and Arsenal - 1st and 2nd respectively - have scored more and conceded less than Howe's side in the Premier League this term. I'd love Big Al to be right! But let's focus on making the top four our aim before getting carried away with title tilts...

Stuart Jamieson

There is so much to love about this Newcastle United side right now, but they are a long way off from mounting a title challenge. Too much hangs on key players at the minute, which is great when they're fit but what happens if Alexander Isak or Sandro Tonali pick up an injury? That's not to say that we shouldn't be excited about the future - very excited - but Eddie Howe and everyone at the club know how far they have to go before they can be considered title contenders.

Ross Gregory

Are Nottingham Forest in the title race? A lot of pundits, commentators and fans would say they are, and yet they are only three points ahead of Newcastle. If Forest are then so are Eddie Howe's side.

Here's another question: can Newcastle put themselves in the title race? The answer to that one is 'yes, absolutely'. But what it would need is some big, bold decisions by the owners at the club. A gamble or two his month on a couple of top-drawer signings. Roll the dice and see what happens. Because make no mistake about it, even if you think Liverpool can't be caught (despite history showing gaps can be closed) the top four is wide open. Not even top four, actually, but second place. It is there for the taking with Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Spurs and Man United all having wobbles.

Newcastle's dilemma is whether they roll the dice. Be brave, put PSR challenges to one side and go for it. Opportunities like this don't come around very often - one foot in a Wembley final, Champions League qualification beckoning. The squad is two key injuries - Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon - away from struggling but fix that and who knows where they could end up - even in contention for the title.

Andrew Musgrove

I would love to say Newcastle United are in a title race - I really would but sadly I just can't do it. They're in such fine form, so I can understand why the question has been asked but they are nine points behind Liverpool who have a game in hand. Talk of a title challenge is just fanciful stuff.

Let's just concentrate on one game at a time and getting Champions League football - if that leads to a title charge then I won't turn it down but I just don't think that will happen.