A tough task initially for Eddie Howe. Mike Ashley is out and Newcastle fans can start to dream again. It’s been a long time coming and tastes very sweet for thousands of the Toon Army. However, though expectations are higher than ever due to the amount of money the new owners have, success doesn’t happen overnight.
On the flip side, it’s hard not to imagine Newcastle going on the same journey as Chelsea or Man City. With hope springing eternal on the Tyne, it’s essential to keep our projections as realistic as possible. But what is realistic? (more…)
Will ‘the Saint’ be enough to save Newcastle? There is only one thing that stops the “we want Brucey out” chants at St James Park and that is the expectant roar whenever Allan Saint-Maximin gets on the ball. Indeed, even the most fed-up Geordie will momentarily put his grievances with the manager to one side to appreciate the spectacle that follows.
The French winger breathes life into the terraces of St James’ Park and reminds fans of why they fell in love with the sport in the first place. Indeed, Saint-Maximin’s carefree nature with the ball at his feet is a throwback to simpler times given that his approach is so refreshingly straightforward: run at the opposition and put the fear of God into their backline. (more…)
Joe Willock: Toon’s only Summer signing. One thing most Toon fans can agree about is that Joe Willock certainly made a very positive impression during his loan spell last season. If anything, it seemed as if he was almost too good (bear with me). With every performance (and every goal), it seemed as if he was drifting away from us, either Arsenal would see the error of their ways and want him back, or his price would escalate to the point where notoriously tightfisted Toon owner, Mike Ashley, would get the vapours at the sums being mentioned, but it didn’t. Willock was sold for around the price we thought he would be in the first place if the figures being bandied around (£20-25 million) are to be believed. (more…)
How a relegated Toon side might look like next May. A late goal-scoring run from Joe Willock helped power Newcastle to five wins in their last eight fixtures to finish the 2020/21 campaign in 12th place – a full 17 points above the drop zone. Yet, there were times when Steve Bruce’s men looked genuinely in danger of facing the drop. The big question ahead of the new season is: Can the Magpies carry that good form forward and consolidate mid-table status? Or will they regress into relegation candidates once again? (more…)
Are the Magpies still stuck in the mud? Newcastle United finished the 2020/21 campaign on a high note with an impressive run of results that allowed the club to place at 12th in the Premier League. The club has summed up mid-table mediocrity since their return to the top flight in 2017. Dating back further, the Magpies have finished in the top half on only three occasions since owner Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007. (more…)
