On May 31st last year, I wrote a piece for NUFCblog.co.uk & for the first time in years I felt able to not only reflect positively on the season just ended, but was happy looking forward to the coming season, instead of being subsumed with feelings of dread, hopelessness & the inevitability of little chance of positive change. Of course, that all changed with the takeover & it’s been fantastic ever since.
One of the things I mentioned in that article was the outside chance of qualifying for Europe, having seeing the huge upturn in the team’s performance levels in the second half of the 21/22 season. It reminded me of the first season in the Premier League, with Kevin Keegan at the helm. With no extra European games as distraction we finished 3rd & qualified for Europe. This wasn’t an expectation, last May, but a possibility, with finishing in the top half of the table looking like a step in the right direction. The thing is, we not only qualified for Europe next season, but are in the Champions League! On top of that, we had a trip to Wembley! How mad is that?
We can look forward to at least six matches against top European teams. As we’re going to be in Pot 4, we will face one team from Pot 1, which includes Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, PSG, Benfica & Feyenoord, along with either Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, or FC Porto from Pot 2.
I can’t wait & I bet those teams are praying they don’t find us in their group & wherever we land, will no doubt be called The Group Of Death! I’m laughing away to myself at that thought!
Next season is going to be extremely difficult, though. We’ve made some fantastic signings in the last few transfer windows, have a group of players who’ve been completely transformed by Eddie Howe & his coaching staff, but this summer could determine how we continue to move forward. I have no doubt that the development of everything at Newcastle United will be on an upward trajectory, but the one thing that’ll be hardest, will be to repeat last season & finish in the top four again. We’re going to hope that we don’t lose players to injury & suspension & will need the squad players to come in & play their part in, what will be, a packed fixture list, especially if we progress in the cups. We all hope that whomever we sign will fit into our competitive squad, with everyone pushing for places & doing the business on the pitch. Not easy at all.
Last season we brought in Nick Pope, Sven Botman & Alexander Isak, with Elliot Anderson stepping up to the First Team Squad & Antony Gordon coming in January, along with the return of Martin Dúbravka. Gordon took the longest to bed in, but is finally looking like the player we hoped for. I’m not going to analyse every player, or look at how each one fits into the 4-3-3 system Eddie Howe has used, but I’m going to mention two players, the importance they have & what we may do moving forward.
We played some amazing football in the first half of the season, but some of the players started to look tired after the World Cup break & our form dipped slightly. The joy of reaching the final at Wembley was tainted by the red card for Bruno Guimaraes, following a VAR intervention, which looked to be a correct decision.
Bruno subsequently missed the matches in February against West Ham, Bournemouth & Liverpool, where we picked up 2 points from 9. All of the players were superb last season, but, for me, Bruno is the most important player in the team. We build from the back & he forms the apex of almost every triangle we play in, but also enters the focal point of the triangles to allow more options to form on the pitch. Everything goes through Bruno. Willock & Longstaff make runs off the ball to drag midfielders & defenders out of position, which creates space for Bruno, who appears at each side of the pitch, offering an overload down each flank. The fullbacks join in to create the triangles & Schär steps into midfield, now & then, offering an extra dynamic, but Bruno is the key.
Many fans, bloggers, journalists & pundits have stated that Newcastle need a player to sit deep to allow Bruno to do the same job further up the pitch. I didn’t think Bruno would move position, thinking “Why change what clearly works?” The one thing that may change that is if Tonali signs for us. Now, instead of moving Bruno further forward, I think Eddie Howe could play them alongside each other, with one sitting as the other goes up the pitch. That’s how Tonali’s played for AC Milan. Maybe Maddison, or whomever else we sign, could play in front of those two. I may be wrong, of course, because only Eddie Howe knows what he plans to do, but I think that someone else will be the new key to our future development on the pitch: Alexander Isak.
Isak smashed his way into Geordie hearts, with an amazing debut performance against Liverpool. He looked world class. He had problems with injuries, of course, but his return to form was incredible. Isak has shown that he can play on either flank, or up front, where his close control & amazing deft touch not only allows him to hold the ball up for others, but where he can create space for himself, or take on defenders in a crowded situation. I think that Isak could end up playing a false 9, or number 10 role because of the ability he’s shown. Instead of just having everything come through Bruno, in deeper positions, I think that the baton could be passed to Isak to do the same, but further up the field, so that we create a double incenter of each triangle formed by the players.
This may sound crazy, but I see Isak as a player, who has the talent & insight on the pitch, with the ability to make lightning quick decisions, who can be up there with Peter Beardsley, for many the best footballer ever to wear the black & white shirt, or even Johan Cruyff, who was at the focal point of Total Football, which has evolved into how Manchester City play under Pep Guardiola. Isak also wears the number 14 shirt, which I bet is no coincidence.
Whatever happens, whomever we sign, whatever system we play, I can’t wait for next season & beyond.
On Saturday, 10th June 2023, Sam Fender announced to the huge crowd, almost all adorned in B&W that it’s a great time to be a Geordie! I totally agree!
It Doesn’t Really Matter…But It Does!
A question I have is how starts as CF – Wilson or Isak?.
I wasn’t overly keen on them being in the side together personally.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Two full backs in with one as backup to trippier would suit.
I’m not a big fan of Wilson / isak together up top as it stifles isak a bit I feel but Wilson thrived at the end of the season like that.
I really hope Howe pulls joelinton into mf more consistently as him, guimaraes and tonali looks a tasty mf 3
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I think I’d start Isak as a CF with Wilson as a late sub if needed. Isak could have a mega season through the middle.
I know little about Barnes, good stats though and way better than the bandaged hamstrung Maxi (lying on his back).
Tierney? Do we need?
I’m really looking forward to the new season with the only questions over the wing positions.
Diaby is still available but Villa are sniffing around.
georgio(Quote)
Last season we had no game-changers on the bench, merely fresh legs. Hopefully this season we can change things mid-game.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Maybe we can change things mid article.
georgio(Quote)
Cheers
Davy Craig(Quote)
The only opinion worth listening to is your own. I try not to worry about what others say about me, but it’s difficult to do in reality. It’s best to find a balance between looking after yourself and helping others. You can’t do the second without the other, but to totally leave out the helping others, especially people you don’t know, is preventing yourself from enriching your life even more so. That’s my experience talking there.
Davy Craig(Quote)
Dave – as you can see, my post was getting pretty lengthy as it was, and if we were sat chatting about it, I’m sure we’d be there hours.
If my post came across like I’m self centred then it’s badly written or has certainly been read the wrong way.
Helping others is important, I totally agree & I assure you I do & have always have where I could.
But sometimes people help others to avoid addressing their own needs/issues – and I don’t think that’s healthy long term.
I’m not sat here claiming or thinking I’m perfect in any way – I’m far from it. But I’m comfortable with most of my imperfections & understand why they exist – and when someone makes a comment on them without knowing me or why the imperfection they are making a cheap comment on exists, then I really don’t care 🤷🏼♂️.
But there are 2 reasons for that – firstly and most importantly, I set my own standards.
Secondly – I found my wife. I won’t get all cheesy about it, but she’s an amazing woman – and they say behind every good man 🤷🏼♂️. In addition to that we were blessed with an amazing son.
My son is 14, both my wife & i are 44. The world now is so different to how it was 30 years ago – SO different!!.
So whilst I agree it’s important to help others – for me it will never be to the detriment of supporting my wife & son first – that was the point I was trying to make in my original post.
For you to have to strength to help & support others it’s important to protect the things that give you strength.
I honestly think with the world of social media, people are so busy looking at and watching other people’s lives, they don’t focus on their own – and of course social media is the best of other people’s lives, so can easily make yours look ****.
People’s phones tell them how much time per week they are on there. If it was 6hrs, I bet for most people at least 2/3 of that time is spend looking at other people’s SM. But spend an hour or 2 of that time spend looking at others on yourself (or helping another) and see the difference it makes to your life.
I think a lot of people don’t take the time to really consider what they want from life. Don’t set out goals & ambitious and get stuck in a rut. This is a big source of depression & anxiety – but that’s not me simplifying it by any means.
Sorry it’s another lengthy post which will barely scratch the surface again 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ona similar topic – I watched the Dele Ali interview with G Nev this morning & fair play to the lad.
It’s a bit naff he felt forced into it coz the media contacted his team to say they knew where he’d been and planned to run a story on it.
But good on him for taking control & turning that into a positive. Can’t have been easy for him at all.
He’s still only 27 so time is still on his side playing wise. Would be great to see him get the most out of his remaining playing days.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wish we were posting about football – I was quietly confident we’d be making at least 1 signing this week 🙁
Sharpy17(Quote)
Football – starting to forget about stuff like that. Used to think it was important.
I watched that interview with Bruno (magic hat). Even in Portugese it was so much fun.
New signings are all smoke and mirrors again.
georgio(Quote)
To follow on from Sharpy’s thoughts I went to Primary school in the 1950’s (Yes I am pretty ancient).My headmaster held me back a year because of my reading difficulties and forced me to write with my right hand after seeing that I wrote left handed.I often had bruised knuckles from his ruler.Think he might have been close to a heart attack when I passed 11plus and went to grammar school.( He did live well into his 90’s).The things that are important to me,like yourself are my family.I have a great wife (55years) and my daughter is a gem.However,I will always be grateful for the help and support of friends when sadly our son was murdered.
Whilst my family always come first and I still feel guilt over my son’s death I got great satisfaction from coaching and running a local amateur boxing club after I retired from a competitive involvement.
I hope I have maybe helped somebody not to take up a knife or gun. Many of my ex boxers are still in touch.Helping others can both benefit them and you and therefore your family
StanHardy(Quote)
Your a top man,from one oldie to another
Icedog(Quote)
Stan – sorry to hear about your son mate, can’t begin to imagine what you & your family must have gone through, and probably still do – I I don’t imagine you ever get over that.
Yeah, that’s where 1 true friend is more valuable than a thousand Facebook friends or followers.
I’m absolutely certain you’ll have had a positive influence on many lives mate. It’s brilliant that you can use your knowledge, experience & passion for a sport & share it with others.
It’s clearly not been to the detriment of your family either if you’ve been married 55 years 👍🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Stan, I am so sorry you lost your son in such an horrific way. Agree with Sharpy’s comments , you will have made a massive difference to many lives with what you have done and all credit to you .
kimtoon(Quote)
I’ve a feeling now we will not sign Harvey Barnes. Taking too long. He’ll end up at West Ham I think. Looks like Diaby going to Villa?
Curious… West Ham spent millions, Forest spent millions, Villa spent millions, Chelsea spent close to billions, Everton clearly breached FFP, City clearly breached FFP, yet they all keep spending but nothing done to any of them .. we keep going on about FFP and our “targets” go to other clubs.
There’s still time, I know, but surely it’s better to get players in quickly so they can get through pre season with the team ..
Gilly Toon(Quote)
As for the players we just cannot get rid of, you’d think it would be worth releasing them and paying off the contracts to get them of the wage bill.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Icedog,Sharpy Kim I appreciate your comments.25 years ago this Christmas but sometimes feels like yesterday
StanHardy(Quote)
have the toon changed their mind on Barnes and looking at someone else??,they are good at smoke screens
icedog(Quote)
STAN nee worries mate,try and get on a bit more us oldies still have things to say
icedog(Quote)
Not sure that helps in the immediate and it may make it worse for this year as it adds the full wages to accounting this year and then nufc would also be paying the new players. Would also need player to agree to this.
Best option is loan / sell and nufc would have to pay at least part wages I guess if loans
Nufc neeed to suck it up sadly and it’s something they’ve talked about previously as a factor in slower development of club so no surprise here
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Is the hold up FFP and us not having funds to sign players – well if it was I don’t see the point in discussing personal terms with players – and we don’t seem to be actively in a hurry to sell players to raise funds.
Is it that, in a weird twist of fate, a number of targets are available (Barnes, Chiesa, Diaby) and we are discussing with each to work out the best deal – possibly, but that would feel unlikely for me. I’d expect us to identify which of the players Howe wants & get that deal done.
Is the hold up that the selling clubs are wanting to get replacements in place before signing off on the sale of their players – again possibly, but I’ve not seen Leicester linked with anyone – and it didn’t stop them selling Maddison.
I suspect the most likely reason we haven’t got these players over the line yet is due to complex negotiation around fee payments as a result of FFP.
Ashworth is an intelligent fella & I suspect he’s exploring all payment options to maximise what’s left of our transfer kitty before FFP becomes an issue.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, I think we’ve both lost something in translation, a wee bit. I was agreeing with you, not very clearly, but talking in a veiled way about my own experience, because I’ve done exactly that. For years I’ve helped others, thinking that it was going to help me. I didn’t look after my own mental health properly, because I didn’t know the extent of my own problems. All was revealed to me 16 yrs ago and I realised that there was nothing wrong with me, but I’d been subjected to lies my whole life and actions were taken against my health, both physically and mentally, to mask those lies. The lies continue, but I’m OK and have dealt with it all. It took me 38 years to find the truth and another 12 to deal with and recover from it. I didn’t realise that for a while, but eventually sought help, instead of just helping others. I can now do both.
Have you seen We Are The Geordies? I’m in it. There’s a scene where I get upset and say that “Newcastle United is the only constant in my life!” That’s true, but telling others and realising that fact during filming lead me to seek help. It’s a great, feel good movie that all NUFC Fans should watch. I’m proud to be a part of it and it’s helped me get my life on track.
I was in no way saying, or implying anything negative about yourself, or what you chose to do etc. I was simply saying that helping others is something that enriches my own life, now that I’m well enough to do properly. Apologies for any miscommunication.
Ice sent an article to Ollie about mental health. Hopefully, it’ll get published soon. I’ve not talked about how I have problems, but how I’ve dealt with them and how being a Newcastle fan has helped me over the years.
All the best
Davy – not Dave, I’ve never been a Dave 😉
David Craig(Quote)
Sorry to read that, Stan. Great that you’ve turned such a massive negative into a positive one for so many. Your son will be very proud!
David Craig(Quote)
Davy – 🤦🏼♂️ I thought I might have got away with that one, sorry mate it was auto correct that changed it to Dave – I only realised once I’d hit sent 😬😂.
I was more trying to clarify my post than accuse you of anything mate.
I pleased you’re in a better place now, and for what it’s worth, you’re a very welcome addition to the site and I always like to interact & get to know those writing the articles 👍🏼.
I’ll look out for that movie too 👍🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The position and progress of the club should be a great lift to all supporter and help to improve their well being .I recall sitting in the stands at Roots Hall Southend on January 1st 1992 with my son for the early kickoff only to see the home side destroy Newcastle with a 4-0 win to go top of what is now the championship for a few hours at least while Newcastle were sliding towards relegation. Enter a certain Mr Keegan.Southend where are they now?Struggling in the National league and on the verge of bankruptcy whilst Newcastle ride into Europe.How fortunes change!
StanHardy(Quote)
Anyone wanting to watch todays friendly v Gateshead , it’s £9.99 to watch online via National league tv
https://www.nationalleaguetv.com/packages
Kickoff 12.30pm
Rangers game on tues evening can be watched via NUFC TV
kimtoon(Quote)
That was the worst day Stan. Effin Southend!
georgio(Quote)
I think it’s a fantastic touch that NUFC will take no money from todays game – all proceeds go to Gateshead 👌🏼👏🏼.
I’ve lived my whole life the Gateshead side of the Tyne & my grandparents live in Felling. It’s a stadium & a club I’ve always had a soft spot for.
I remember going to watch Ginola & Ferdinand make their toon debut there under Keegan – the fans got to see the best players!!
The stadium was sell out & the weather was glorious.
I truly hope NUFC form that affiliation with Gateshead again 🤞🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Half time. Gateshead 2-0 up. I know it’s a friendly and we’re unfit but poor so far. Anyone watching it?
Lewis looks canny and Tripps is all over. Manquillo doing ok too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Winning 2.3 now, Anderson, Maxi and Turner Cooke
kimtoon(Quote)
Second half was better. I missed the first 10 mins and last 5 mins of the half as my internet went down in the storms. Good run out for the lads
Gilly Toon(Quote)
So Arsenal have spent over £200m on 3 players now – Rice, Havertz & Timber.
Does FFP only count for NUFC here??
The live unveiling of Rice was one of the most cringe & cheesy things I’ve ever seen as well – Aaron Ramsdale can’t hide his awkwardness either by the looks of it 🤢
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’m not going to be negative about todays game coz as has been said, it was a good run out.
But let’s be right, that’s nowhere near what our starting 11 will look like on match day 1 of the new season.
I hope it generated some good money for Gateshead though & helps them out financially for the coming season
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cheers & no worries!
We Are The Geordies is a movie every Newcastle fan will absolutely love!
David Craig(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2023/07/15/gateshead-2-3-newcastle-toon-kick-off-pre-season-with-comeback-win/
Match report after my short trip to the GIS! Absolutely soaked, I am 😂
Olly Hawkins(Quote)