Just a few months ago, it was a miserable existence being a Newcastle United fan.
We were owned by Mike Ashley, managed by Steve Bruce, winless and heading for yet another relegation if nothing changed.
The players looked unfit, unhappy and pretty disillusioned, while the atmosphere inside St James’ Park was equally flat and filled with frustration.
Thankfully, new owners arrived right when we needed them and a meticulous manager with new ideas and high standards soon followed.
It’s never felt better to be a Newcastle United fan. Here’s 100 reasons why!
- NINE games unbeaten; our best run for over a decade
- SIX wins in our last seven games
- TEN points clear of the relegation zone, just a few months after we were rock bottom and winless
- On track to become first team in PL history to survive after failing to win any of opening 14 games
- The fact we are now as close to the top six (14 points) as we are to the bottom of the table.
- The way we’ve gone from the worst defence in the PL to conceding the fewest goals in 2022
- Eddie Howe’s relentless work rate, infectious high standards and attention to detail
- The incredible team spirit and togetherness that exists within the squad
- The way every player runs through brick walls for Eddie Howe. The work rate is a joy to watch!
- New owners with big ambitions; both on and off the pitch
- New owners who constantly communicate with fans
- New owners who care about every aspect of the club; from the Women’s team to NUFC foundation
- St James’ Park here to stay with expansion plans being pursued – NOT a new stadium
- Plans to build a new “world class” training ground
- Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben’s brilliant posts on social media!
- Amanda Staveley attending every game and celebrating goals with co-owners like a fan would!
- Joelinton’s transformation from ‘£40m flop’ to bulldozing midfielder top of the PL tackle charts!
- Ryan Fraser’s rise to form and non-stop running.
- Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar going from liabilities to consistently reliable!
- Dan Burn back at his boyhood club and playing out of skin
- Matt Targett. Such a solid loan signing that could lead to a £15m permanent deal this summer
- Joe Willock playing with a smile on his face again after a really difficult few months
- The backing Howe received in January, brilliant recruitment and hard work to make that happen.
- The fact new owners make sure new signings are good characters; not talented prima-donnas
- Kieran Trippier’s elite mentality and the impact he’s had both on and off the pitch.
- The atmosphere at St James’ Park and feel-good factor that’s returned around the city
- Wor Flags and the consistently brilliant displays they put on during home games
- The sense of hope and excitement going into the summer transfer window
- Our ability to cope without key players like Wilson, Trippier and Saint-Maximin
- The brilliant content coming from the club’s official Twitter account
- The imminent appointment of Dan Ashworth; a top sporting director who is just what we need
- New owners eager to get club legends and former players back involved in some capacity
- The fact rival clubs suddenly fear us as they realise a sleeping giant is now awake!
- St James’ Park stripped of all Sports Direct signs!
- Club photographers constantly getting pictures of Dan Burn stood next to Ryan Fraser!
- Elliot Anderson; our most exciting young talent who has a big future ahead of him
- How Eddie Howe has exposed Steve Bruce and made several pundits eat their words
- The team photos taken in the dressing room after every Premier League win!
- The way fringe players like Manquillo, Murphy and Krafth have stepped up when needed
- Sell out crowds at SJP every week and the travelling Toon Army louder and prouder than ever!
- Alan Shearer’s statue set to be moved onto stadium ground, close to Sir Bobby’s
- “Nine Bar” will soon be renamed back to “Shearer’s”
- The fact both Sven Botman and Jesse Lingard were BOTH “wanted to come” in January
- Finally in a position to shift deadwood this summer and move on players no longer up to it
- That survival means we can expect at least another season of Allan Saint-Maximin
- The resilience we’ve shown and winning mentality. We no longer crumble under pressure!
- Positive press conferences before and after the game. A refreshing change…
- The buzz is back on matchdays and we look forward to going to games again
- Players and staff applauding all four corners of SJP after home games
- We can finally start looking up, not worrying about relegation or who might be sold this summer.
I could go on.
Not long ago, it was hard to feel remotely positive as a Newcastle United fan. Now, the possibilities feel endless and long may it last!
