Newcastle United fans are getting more worried by the march of Huddersfield Town as each game goes by.
The Geordies earned a point at Norwich on Tuesday night, while Town extended their winning streak to six matches thanks to a last-gasp Tommy Smith goal against Rotherham.
Newcastle's lead over Town has been cut to five points, with both sides set to meet at the John Smith's Stadium on March 4.
The Chronicle's Newcastle United editor Mark Douglas asked Examiner sports writer Rory Benson whether he thought the Magpies should be worried about Town - here's what he had to say...
They've barely stayed up the last two years. So what exactly has happened at Huddersfield this season?
Simple – David Wagner. The German head coach has brought in his footballing philosophy of gegenpressing - a style popularised by Jurgen Klopp and Wagner at their time at Dortmund together – and it seems to be working in the Championship.
The recruitment has been second-to-none as well. Owner Dean Hoyle, head of football operations Stuart Webber and the head coach have been on the same wavelength in all three transfer windows the former Dortmund man has been there and they have picked up some exceptional players on a shoestring budget.
The likes of Michael Hefele, Christopher Schindler and top scorer Elias Kachunga were plucked from the lower German leagues and have quickly adapted to the English game.
The dressing room is full of characters who have bought into the philosophy and have put their egos aside to create a really special squad spirit.
Their run has been incredible. What has changed since November?
October through to November was a strange time for Town and results seemed to evade the Terriers.
There were questions over whether the brand of football had taken its toll on the players’ fitness, but an unbeaten December helped dismiss those theories.
At the time, Wagner claimed his side had only been sub-par for one of the games - the 5-0 drubbing at Fulham - and I would tend to agree with him.
Town’s game relies on a strong defence and shutting teams down through pressing in all areas of the pitch - the Terriers have scored more than two goals only twice in league matches this season.
In the brief spell before Christmas, Wagner’s side were conceding sloppy goals from set pieces yet failing to net more than twice at the other end.
That has changed somewhat with the introduction of Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown and Town have now scored three goals in in two of their last four matches - against Brighton and Rotherham.
How good is David Wagner?
It’s hard to overestimate David Wagner.
He has cultivated an incredible dressing room atmosphere at the club and has got all of his players buying into the ‘Terrier identity’.
Where will Town finish this season?
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The German’s side respect him and give everything they have for him and never give in - proven by the amount of last-gasp winners they convert.
The squad is fitter than ever and each player knows their job both in attack and defence.
A lot of teams are doing well but do they have the resources to cope with the games coming thick and fast?
It’s hard to see Town’s run of form ending.
Their fitness and determination to succeed, coupled with Wagner’s rotation policy makes them a definite threat for Newcastle and Brighton.
In the January transfer window they brought in Collin Quaner and Izzy Brown to give them more options in attack.
Quaner is a traditional centre-forward brought in from Union Berlin and - at 6’3” - gives Town the option of going more direct.
Brown has been preferred over Kasey Palmer in the number 10 role since joining on loan, giving Wagner an extra creative midfield option.
Palmer has suffered a hamstring injury and faces a spell on the sidelines, but Jack Payne - who scored the winner at St James’ Park - is a fine understudy.
Can they keep it up until the end of the season?
I don’t see why not.
The fitness, squad and belief is there.
Town will be looking up toward the automatic promotion spots - not down at the chasing play-off pack.
Should Newcastle be scared?
I think so.
Newcastle’s recent history should surely fill any supporter with worry at this point in the season.
Admittedly, Rafa Benitez seems to have made the Magpies more reliable, but consistency has been hard to come by at the Toon since before the Keegan era.
Town look unbeatable at the minute, but Newcastle will have to do just that come March to dent the Terriers’ belief.
What are their next few fixtures? Make or break?
These next two months are make and break for Town - but also for the rest of the Championship promotion hopefuls.
Town host Manchester City in the FA Cup this weekend, followed by a visit from Reading on Tuesday night.
Away matches against Barnsley and Wolves come hot on the heels, while the Terriers host both Newcastle and Aston Villa the week after.
After the visit of Steve Bruce’s side, Town have a decent looking run-in - with home fixtures against Norwich and Derby County looking the toughest prospects.
I would not be surprised to see their automatic promotion push go all the way to the wire - when they host Cardiff City an May 7.
Who are the main threats?
Elias Kacuhnga and Nahki Wells have the lions-share of goals for the Terriers this season with 10 and nine league strikes to their names respectively.
Both work hard for the side off the ball too, allowing the likes of Izzy Brown to roam forward with the ball.
Brown’s creativity is dangerous, while Australian international Aaron Mooy plays the withdrawn ball-playing role - much like that of Jonjo Shelvey.
Even centre-back Michael Hefele has been getting in on the act this season, scoring a brace in the FA Cup against Rochdale, an equaliser against Aston Villa and a last-minute winner against local rivals Leeds United.
Right-back Tommy Smith has three goals and seven assists, so Town really do carry threats across the side.
