It may be raining as I sit down to write this, but summer is here, and the World Cup is literally just days away from kicking off.
If that wasn’t enough to make you smile, then surely the fact that (despite a turbulent start to the season on Tyneside) things appear to have calmed down somewhat and there is an air of optimism ahead of the new campaign.
So, with this in mind, we look at three reasons why Magpie fans can sit back, relax and enjoy the World Cup knowing next season has the potential to be a cracker.
Rafael Benitez is still at the club
Admittedly with only a year left on his contract and the signs are that an extension will not be signed but football is a fickle thing and a few wins could change all that.
Benitez has been one of the shining lights in a tricky few years and holding onto the Spaniard has been something of coup for the club even when the more high-profile jobs have become available.
The 58-year-old is also one of the main reasons why Newcastle United odds on a top ten finish next season are becoming shorter and shorter and that is more than reason enough to leave a smile on your face this season.
Transfer Rumours are Positive
It may be wise to take transfer rumours with a pinch of salt, but the rumour mill starts somewhere and so far, the names linked with the club appear to be becoming more and more realistic with every passing hour.
Magpies officials have flown out to Turkey to meet with Fenerbahce over the possible transfer of former Liverpool rock Martin Skrtel.
Rumours have it that Rangers were in for the defender but were priced out over £60,000 a week wage demands but it seems Newcastle have the clout to get their man.
Another name linked with the Magpies is talented Aston Villa bad boy Jack Grealish.
The 22-year-old is a big asset for Villa but due to financial issues with the HMRC were revealed this week, the Villans are going to have to sell in order to balance the books.
Grealish may be a hot head but many believe that Rafa is the man to get the most out of the Villa star and the signing would excite fans, but he would not come cheap with a host of clubs in for him.
We’re not Sunderland
Yes, yes, it may be easy to take a swipe at our neighbours who no doubt did it to us when the tables were turned, but Sunderland are a stark warning to Newcastle (and a host of other clubs) how easy it could have been for the club to implode and sink to the third tier.
After all, recently, it has happened to the likes Leeds United, Blackburn, Portsmouth, and now Sunderland but the roles could have been reversed with numerous issues with Mike Ashley’s controversial continued ownership.
As it is, we head into the 2018/19 season full of confidence as an established mid-table club with a world class manager and some exciting names linked to the club.
Time to sit back and enjoy the World Cup.
