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!
Very good article David! And thanks Olly for a new thread! It’s certainly a good time to be a Geordie!
Sorry Olly, but I have Prem’s details now. Site still needs some sorting! 😬
Gilly Toon(Quote)
David – it’s a cloud nine article for sure & captures the feeling of every single Geordie at the moment I reckon.
The shirt sales & Sam Fender concerts is just extra evidence of how the City feels.
I’m in no way trying to pour cold water onto that good feeling – but I think we also have to stay realistic & listen to those in the club & not dumb pundits making sensational comments for click bait.
The club is saying we are ahead of where we thought we’d be – that may mean a bit of a drop back next season while we learn how to juggle European football with our domestic games. That shouldn’t be seen as a failure imo – it’s all part of the building process.
The club are saying it’ll be a smaller transfer kitty to keep in line with FFP – we have to understand that.
Most of our business is incoming as thanks to the squad Ashley left, there is little to nothing in terms of player sales that will generate money.
I just don’t want this feel good factor around the club to turn sour because some fans expect us to spend another £200m & compete for the league this season – I think that’s still a while off yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Nice article and precisely what I was talking about Ollie which you mistakenly took for criticism.
Got Prems details again today.
Anybody else getting twitchy about the Tonali deal?
georgio(Quote)
Georgio – I’ll be happier when it’s announced like.
We head out to America soon & I was hoping Howe would have 2 or 3 new first teamers to take with him – right now I’d be happy just to see Tonali boarding that plane with the rest of the squad 😖.
I don’t want to see us do an Everton and waste a load of money on players who aren’t good enough – but I think our lot have been in place long enough now to have a transfer plan in place & move on it quickly.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Saying ‘the site is on its knees’ and ‘the site is dead’ is always going to come across poorly to someone working 8+ hours a day on articles for the site. I realise what you now meant, but perhaps you need to word things better in the future if you don’t want me to take things to wrong way.
It was a very sweeping statement towards a site that is not ‘dead’ or ‘on its knees’ at all. Anyway, glad you all like the new thread – will try to get a new one up every few weeks, but won’t be putting news stories at the top of blog as they quickly become outdated, no to mention the main thread has always been a place for longer pieces / match previews and match reports.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Am trying my best to get people to fix site. All I can do is pass on issues and hope for a fix. Cheers!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Anthony Gordon’s form in the U21s offers great optimism going into pre season & next.
By all accounts he got his head down after his little kick off being subbed – mentored by Matt Ritchie, and acknowledging that his fitness levels weren’t where they needed to be.
He finished last season with a goal against Chelsea & seem to become a key player in the U21s – all great for his confidence.
Hopefully he sees that Howes way is great for his game & can move him on to the next level.
The lad has the talent for sure – but he’s lacked focus. Find that & we could have some player on our hands!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
MotM performance from Gordon tonight in the England U21s and scored the only goal. Looking good I think. Gives us options.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Olly -you seem inordinately upset with a comment that I used generally about the site. I understand you took it personally but it wasn’t really aimed at you. I’ve said several times how much I appreciate your work.
I’ve been on the site since it’s inception and the featured discussion has always been the focal point.
georgio(Quote)
Yeh, I didn’t take it well mate, because it’s a pretty sweeping statement to make about the entire site when your complaint centers around one issue.
I appreciate the focal point for you is chatting in the main thread and have thanked you in the past for the support, but when games aren’t taking place and there isn’t the longer pieces / previews / reports to write, I work very hard to keep the news section up to date. So, again, it was never going to go down well when you suggested to the site was in a mess just because you didn’t have a new thread to chat in.
With all due respect, the site is not just a forum for regulars to chat in. I have so much work on my plate to keep the site updated and full of all the latest news, views and gossip. When all of that feels ignored (‘the site is on its knees / the site is dead’ – very general comments aout the site as a whole, not just the main thread), it’s bound to annoy me.
I’m not going through a very good time at the minute, so I accept I’m more sensitive, but it’s easy to see why this wasn’t taken well when I work so hard to keep site up to date. As a result, when I look in the main thread and see sweeping statements about the state of the site, it frustrated me. Aside from the issues in the main thread (which is bound to be quiet at this time of the year), the site is anything but dead – there’s not a Newcastle United site around that puts updates out as regularly as the blog. You may feel I’ve overreacted, but your wording was very poor if you were only referring to the main thread. The main thread does not define the entire website.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly, Sorry to hear that you are going through some stress at the moment, hope things improve. I hope my comments haven’t added to that, if they have, my apologies.
I appreciate how difficult it must be given the absence of rumours, things seem to have dried up, and with targets going elsewhere, it’s hard to find positives to comment on the forum. The names glitch seems to have stopped today anyway.
I must admit I tend to respond to comments on the forum since when I start new ideas they don’t generally get picked up. Some do. Seems we are missing a central figure like Eric or others before him that can keep up a running commentary.
I do find it interesting that if we show an interest in a player, there may be a note that we have done so but when Liverpool shows an interest in the same player the BBC suddenly write full articles about them.
Anyway, be interesting to see when Tonali gets announced and who follows him through the door.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Thanks Gilly 😀 🖤🤍
Davy Craig(Quote)
Totally agree. I did say it’s going to be difficult next season. We’re up there & competing, though, which is great!
Davy Craig(Quote)
Tonali Confirmed
PremAndUp(Quote)
Well, you just know the chants will be Toon ali .
Great news, very exciting.
Great article Davy by the way.
Olly, hope things improve for you soon, stress is an awful thing, I live with it 24/7 so understand.
On the site issue, all I can say is this was always a chat forum and it’s a little hard getting used to it covering more stuff and podcast now too. I do read your other articles though don’t always comment on them.
kimtoon(Quote)
Sandrino confirmed at long last. Be ready for US pre season.
Dreaming we’d also sign Gabri Veiga!
georgio(Quote)
David – no I know you did mate 👍🏼 I just know some fans will see last season as the start of our success rather than the start of our journey.
Tonali is a great addition to the squad though – not just his playing ability but his mentality. He seems to be a leader, a winner.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Olly mate, sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time. Stay strong and you will get through it.
From my perspective, I and I think many other regulars on here have been using the chat and threads as the main part of the site, long before it was owned by the current guys and you were writing your excellent articles. Many remember Toonsy, and even Eds site. For many of us, this bit is the “main” part of what we see.
This site is permanently open in my browser and it’s the first site I come to every single day to catch up on Toon stuff and see what chat is going down, toon related or not. You keep this going. Your articles are keeping this main part (for us), open and alive. It kept me connected to home over the 15 or so years I was working abroad (Shanghai Toon, Cologne Toon, Dubai Toon) through to Gilly Toon when I came home. I feel the pain when there are issues, and I feel yours in trying to get it running again. We don’t see what’s going on in the background, but we all know sites like this take time and effort. I think every one of us regular posters owes you a dept of thanks for your efforts and nobody would knowingly criticise you personally. I write articles myself, I know how hard it is to do them.
Stay strong mate and a very big thank you from myself and I’m sure, the other regulars on here too. Sending a hug! 🤗🤗
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Glad to see Tonali in, a bit of love in the group and I hope olly, you find a way to better times soon.
Like most I’m happy to see nufc continue our progress so a perceived lack of transfers (tonali aside) doesn’t bother me.
My expectation is a drop off in the league as nufc hopefully go on a longish cup run. Id be happy with that and that’s because the club have demonstrated they’re diligent, not going to be pushed around and after some early wobbles as they found their feet pretty competent.I love seeing nufc scare the 5h1t out of the entitled clubs and fans (on and off the field) and they’ve won nowt in my lifetime so I can be patient a little longer
And boy am I looking forward to the US tournament .. got my tickets to all 3 games and my truck primed for toon tailgates
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
That’s an awful lot of miles, but then everything is in America. Where are you based GoWest?
It should be fun and you’ll be able to describe what the team will look like with Tonali in there. Have a great time!
georgio(Quote)
David – I’ve just re read your excellent article. Very good piece of writing and just what’s needed!
georgio(Quote)
Thanks a lot Gilly, Prem and Kim for the support. Appreciate it. Will do my best!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Cheers 👊
Davy Craig(Quote)
No need to say you do your best,you always done your best so no prob imo
Icedog(Quote)
I agree. There’s an expectation amongst a huge part of the fanbase that never used to be there. I would dearly love us to win something, but to be in a position to compete at the top and in Europe is fantastic! It’s going to be really difficult to make the top 4 next season because of Liverpool, Chelsea & Spurs spending amounts we’re not allowed to due to FFP, which is clearly set up to benefit the perennial top clubs and is a sneaky way of trying to ensure European football for those clubs. It’s really difficult to come from outside that “top 6” and break in amongst them, but to do it consistently and stay up there with them, due to FFP constraints, is almost impossible! We’re best placed to do that, but I’m just looking forward to the new season and hope the prices don’t go up, too much, next season! Taking it one game at a time, though! HWTL 🖤🤍
Davy Craig(Quote)
Thanks Kim
In relation to what Ollie’s said, I can’t really comment because I haven’t seen the post it relates to, but I’ve had depression & anxiety problems my whole life & has been as severe as it can get on a few occasions. You can feel fine one minute, then the slightest negative comment can send you into a total tailspin and it’s really difficult to get out of that. Some may see flippant comments as nowt at all, but they can destroy people. It’s certainly not good. I agreed to write on here every now and then because I liked the site, liked Ollie’s attitude and liked the other writers’ articles, especially Natasha’s, but mostly because it seemed to be a comfortable place to have opinions on NUFC without being completely shot down and attacked personally. I sincerely hope that doesn’t start here. I don’t often join in the chats for that reason. Hope everyone is OK and if anyone needs an ear to listen you can find me on twitter @Davy_Craig I’m a trained NHS listener. Yes, there is such a thing!
Gan canny everyone! Cheers 👊 🖤🤍
Davy Craig(Quote)
Davy, a trained NHS listener ! wow that’s something I never knew existed, very cool.
Davy, a few of us on here have written articles in the past when it was Toonsy running it, we know the time and effort it takes so you will always get support.
The main moans tend to be related to the site issues and they get mentioned in the hope the writers can pass on to the owners of the site.
Currently my own stress has my upper body covered in hives that come and go depending on how poor life is going at the time. My friends and family will say ” stop scratching, what’s worrying you?”, stress rash, treated with high dose antihistamines . Other times it’s full on panic attacks, oddly when I am in queues which started when my lad was small and was in a long queue and people were staring at him when he was on one, He is special needs and age 32 now.
Anything can trigger it, him having too many fits in a day, an illness, an argument with someone close,anything at all.
Even watching the Toon in an important match will start off an itching episode, drives me bonkers my body. Funny thing, if I have time to do my art or I’m doing decorating or gardening I get zero symptoms, just need to block out the negative thoughts.
Sorry guys, just want anyone in same position to know you aren’t alone.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think all of us appreciate the hardships that you face on a daily basis, and if we could support you more we would. Good luck.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Post more often Davy – you have an excellent take on Toon matters.
georgio(Quote)
Kim,
Thanks for that. Everyone has different problems that affect them in different ways. I can’t say I know how you feel, but I know how similar things affect me. It’s not good, but the positive thing seems to be that you know what triggers it and also what can prevent it from happening. I have a number of things that help me: I completely switch off from the world by picking up my guitar and playing, or writing some music. That’s been my main saviour over the years. I’ve started painting again raffle them off for the foodbank. You can see my current signed (by Dan Burn) offer on my twitter page. Talking is good and I also find that helping others helps me.
Give me a shout if you’re ever in need of a chat 👊
Davy Craig(Quote)
Thanks Georgio. I’ve been extremely busy with my music and volunteering, but will endeavour to wrote more. I’ve got a few ideas, but always think that no one really wants to read my opinions on football!
Cheers 👊
Davy Craig(Quote)
Davy
The more opinions the better.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I grew up with dyslexia and obviously still have it now.
Schooling in the 80s & 90s wasn’t as sympathetic to such things as it is today – the teachers were as mean as the kids a lot of the time.
But it made to learn about it, about the brain & how it works – not just with dyslexia but depression & anxiety as well.
Just at an age when I start to feel like I get it, a little thing called social media blew up & took over the world.
I’m not trying to simplify things or explain my point in one post coz that is impossible.
But in short, it’s no coincidence that depression & anxiety is at its highest since social media infected society.
Talking helps for sure – but a key thing to understand is whose opinion actually matters?!.
David – as a musician you may have heard Noel Gallagher talking about his solo music & being asked does he worry that Oasis fans might not like it? – his response is always that he writes music for himself & what he likes. The fans will make their own mind up 🤷🏼♂️. Now I know that mindset is maybe made alot easier when you’ve got millions in the bank or when you have that level of talent – but it’s all relative.
I have 3 – my wife, my son & my own. Those are the only 3 that truly matter to me and shape my decisions.
That’s not to say I don’t care about upsetting other people or wilfully look to upset or argue with others – far from it. I always try to be respectful of others who are respectful to me.
You can’t change the world, but you can change yourself – and there is a difference between arrogance & knowing your self worth.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Davy, thanks for that, appreciated mate.
Prem, I have always found so much support on here, we have a great bunch of posters.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – I agree, there may not be many of us regular posters left but those that do are largely respectful & can debate opinions sensibly & agree to disagree – it never gets nasty.
I figured out the other day I’ve been posting for around 15 years now – maybe a little longer, (and I’ve avoided all other forms or social media) so we must be doing something right 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, yeah this is my only social media thing really , don’t do facebook, insta or twitter.
kimtoon(Quote)
What do we think to this suggestion of sell Maxi to bring in Harvey Barnes?
I’m really torn coz I love Maxi. It’s head & heart really – my heart is with Maxi, but head says Barnes stats in terms of goals & assists is way better than Maxi.
I like Barnes, I think he’s a really good player – but at the expense of Maxi?? 🤔😖. I don’t know how I feel about that one 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
I really want to see Maxi in full flow when defences aren’t triple marking him. Given that if they try to do that then we have the firepower elsewhere to destroy them. However, I can see Barnes as a starter and Maxi as a supersub this season. Also that would move Big Joe into ACM rather than starting LW.
PremAndUp(Quote)
The thing about data (stats in this case) is that they don’t provide context, so they’re a part of, but not the sole consideration.
My interpretation of context is pre-Howe, ASM was the focal attacking point in a poorly managed team who was easy to isolate by opposition teams so no surprises his ‘end product ’ doesn’t look great.
In Howe’s team he’s either taken a while to adjust to Howe’s thinking or been injured. Something, be it mentality or injury, wasn’t right last season and hopefully it’s fixed this season.
I’d keep ASM and go after someone for the right side as almiron / Murphy are weaker than ASM / Gordon imo. I’m ruling Isak / Joelinton out of left side forward as they’re better deployed in other positions
As an ‘ out there’ suggestion, isn’t it possible for a team buying a player to loan them back to the selling club ?? That approach may suit ASM, Newcastle and PIF (and let’s face it others are devising new ways to beat ffp restrictions ). So sell ASM to PIF team, loan him back and buy Barnes🤣🤣 but address the right side too
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Prem – workrate wise I think Barnes fits a Howe team better than Maxi.
In an ideal world I’d agree & have both. But we’ve spent £305m net since the takeover & putting another £40-50m on that for Barnes & keeping Maxi leaves little for the LB/RB – but obviously selling Maxi brings maybe £40m plus into the club.
I do think if we look to bring another wide player in, we’d need to move one on – when you consider Maxi barely featured last season & Gordon hasn’t got started yet.
But I look at Barnes stats – his assists aren’t great to be honest. But goals wise – 35 goals in 146 games for Leicester – 1 in 4 games (ish). In comparison Maxi is 12 goals in 111 games – 1 in 9 (ish).
Sharpy17(Quote)
GoWest – there are few others that can excite a crowd the way Maxi can. He gets the ball and you move to the edge of your seat – his dribbling & running with the ball is first class – BUT the end product was lacking as you say.
I think you’re being kind with the injuries – he spent a lot of time on the bench & was available. Howe favoured Joelinton who to be fair was playing brilliantly well out there.
But the writing on the wall for me was when Howe started playing Isak out there when Maxi was available.
I know that was probably more trying to find a way to have Isak & Wilson in the team – but if Howe valued Maxi – that wouldn’t have been at his expense.
I agree with you about RWF needing addressing more urgently than the left side though – a left footed Almiron slows our attacks down on the right regardless of his workrate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hey sharpy,
I do try to be kind but like ASM I’m a work in progress 🤣🤣
To a degree I’m taking Howe at face value fully in the knowledge his comments are, at best, fast and loose around truth 😉
I think the convo should be about right side attack, both in and out going, as opposed to the left side.
Maybe the right side attackers are less sellable than ASM but another club might be willing to take a punt .. that team spirit thing is relevant here tho and Howe is very much a fan of it.
So looking at options could willock be considered as a progressive right attacker given tonalis arrival means one of the established mf is now a finisher not starter and ignoring Howe’s preference for inverse attackers
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – My heart is very much with Maxi so the kinder the better for me mate. It’s my head talking when I consider replacing him.
I agree about the right side & only mention the left coz that’s the transfer talk today.
I get you looking at options for the right. Willock was largely played left of the 3 (when Big Joe was wide left) and looked good on that side.
I thought Murphy did well for a period when he was given the chance – but I have little confidence he’s the long term answer for me (I’m being kind 😂)
I’d be keen to see Gordon on that right side – to be honest, when we signed him I thought he was a right sided player. The few times I saw him for Everton I was sure he operated more down that flank 🤷🏼♂️.
But I think having Trippier behind him and linking up with him would do him the world of good.
Sharpy17(Quote)
As long as they’re really good players I can live with the Almiron/Willock/Gordon dilemmas. I see Diaby’s name being mentioned again. That would be good. Can’t wait to see our refreshed team playing. Lucky boy GoWest!
georgio(Quote)
I know he’s 28 but I’d push the boat out for Bernardo Silva even on sky high wages. Way better than anything mentioned so far.
georgio(Quote)
Aah yes .. my unstated assumption in suggesting willock was that the starting MF 3 are guimaraes, tonali and joelinton.
Gordon fits that multiple role that Howe seems to appreciate so you might be onto something with Gordon on the right. Another option might be offering one of current right sided attackers as part of a bid for Barnes if Gordon is to play right side. That might bring some balance ti the finances
And yes anyone would benefit from a bit of trippier presence behind them.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Hey Georgio .. oooh yes please ti either but that blows out of the water the ‘club managing their finances closely for ffp compliance’ narrative .. surely the club are not fibbing about their plans 🤣🤣
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I know it’s highly unreliable, but Jesper Lindström, Frankfurt to Newcastle, has been sat at 100% for a couple of days on TransferMarkt’s rumour mill
PremAndUp(Quote)
Diaby rumours picking up speed. Anybody seen him play?
georgio(Quote)
Maybe I’m reading too much into this but the transfer talk around the young players we are looking to bring in is predominantly wide players – if not all.
Add to that Miggy got a new contract & we signed Gordon and if starts to feel less likely we will see too many changes in those positions – certainly in the short term future while they get these young players in & developed – see whether they could make the grade 🤷🏼♂️.
I personally think RB and CB are in greater need of addressing.
Trippier gets a lengthy injury and it’s a big drop off at the mo.
Schar is nearing the end – though still very good. But he gets injured & I don’t have confidence in Lascelles being in the side for any length of time.
I wonder if the wide player talk is a bit of a smoke screen while we look for defenders – and maybe a back up forward 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem he’s linked with Arsenal and Pool too, lad reminds me of Maxi with his footwork, bedazzles opo players and is quick.
kimtoon(Quote)
I think we will need a starting 11 for the prem and another starting 11 for CL. There will absolutely be a few players in both but tactics and starters in CL could be different. I can see us keeping maxi even if Barnes arrives, and it’s looking strongly like he will. Defence is weak though after our starting 4. A few injuries and we’re in trouble …
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Site still not working right. I just got Kim’s login details. And my post was missing until I went off the thread then went back onto it 😔
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Ok the Barnes rumours have grown enough legs for me know to think they are more than a smoke screen 😂.
But I do think it also likely spells the end for Maxi.
I could totally see him in a Palace side in place of Zaha but would rather he didn’t go to a PL rival – and I’m not sure they’d have the £40m plus to buy him either 🤷🏼♂️.
It’ll be interesting to watch this one develop, but I’m a big admirer of Barnes.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know it’s a lot to expect – too much probably. But if Carlsberg did transfer windows then after Barnes I’d still like:
Tierney
Inacio
A back up RB
and being mega greedy, a young forward to develop with and compete with Wilson.
Highly unlikely I know but once we have that (maybe in the next few windows) then I think we have a squad strong enough where I’d be expecting to compete on all fronts.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d prefer Diaby, but Barnes is good
My carlsberg window
either Guillamon DM or Kudos AM
Beto CF
then budget others
Udoge or Maijer LB
Tapsoba or Penetra RCB
Bazunu GK only if needed
PremAndUp(Quote)
with you 100% on wingers choice
icedog(Quote)
imo with this signing Maxi is on the way out,think they already got a buyer with this signing at least we will get more games out of him.
our new signing didnt look very happy on the tour of our club in that vid did not smile once,his girlfriend looked very happy but
icedog(Quote)
imo Maxi is on his way out with this signing at least we will get more games out of him for sure
our new signing did not look happy at all in the vid of his tour of the club he never smiled once,his girlfriend looked very happy like
icedog(Quote)
Point well made about defence. I think the back line including pope were all 35 + starts last time. Nufc will be lucky if they maintain that this time around.
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Anyone watching the ENGLAND U21 final
All kicking off
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – hard watch when you’re used to watching NUFC innit 😂.
Can’t say Gordon has blown me away much – but I don’t know what his instruction has been to be fair to him. I’d like to see him up his workrate though & work harder to win the ball back – but I’m not seeing any of the England players doing it, so maybe it’s the managers tactics 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
Still not sure why it all kicked off at the end of the first half. 🤷🏻♂️. Not a great game so far.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Congratulations to England u21’s and especially Anthony Gordon on their euros win
Other than Gordon now and tonali with his scudetta medal, has anyone else at Newcastle got a winners medal yet
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Well it was a tough watch but congrats to the U21s – 39yrs since it was last won 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
In fairness to them it seemed like Spain wanted to battle more than play their football – they done nowt to justify a win.
Pleased for Colwill in the end, he was outstanding in that final & would have been harsh if the game continued coz of a penalty he’d conceded – really poor penalty imo but the keeper did well to stay composed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Great result, poor match. Hate it when teams try to defend a 1-0. I didn’t think it was a penalty, but great goalkeeping by Trafford. Well done lads!
Gordon awarded player of the tournament too!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Yep Gordon had a good tournament, less impressive today though. Brilliant save from Trafford under real pressure.
That’s the lasses and the u21’s with trophies now for England,over to the senior men now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Btw Kim, I think you have a super cool email address! I got your details again 😬😬👍
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Aye give Gordon the benefit of doubt in the final – he played as the team did so I suspect it’s been instructed by Carsley – which while it was pretty to watch, it won them the tournament so credit to him.
I think the Everton Gordon may have let this go to his head and returned with a bit of ‘look how good I am’.
Im hoping the NUFC Gordon returns thank Howe for the work he’s gone with him & wants more because I honestly think with the right attitude, the lad could be top class – and has a coach now that could get it out of him.
Attitude is everything for Gordon now though – the talent is there in abundance.
Sharpy17(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
Prem – I know I’m going back a few posts but I rate Kudus highly as well. I just think he goes to Man Utd with the ETH link – and the rumours Sancho is potentially up for sale.
Talk today is Maguire, McTom, Fred & Sancho can leave – I’d imagine there’s some wages there!!
Had to add my details again for this post – still issues.
Sharpy17(Quote)
So karius and dummett sign extensions for a year
Conclusions;
They will try and stick within ffp constraints at least until the decision around manc is done and they recognise this window is part of a steady rebuild.
Dubravka’s leaving
Left back is not being sought as nufc’ll have burn (extension triggered), targett and dummett assuming he’s fit for at least 12 months
Question; are nufc done with first team signings other than ‘depth’ if Barnes comes in ?
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – do you mean 1-11 signings or first team squad signings?
The other obviously being youth team signings.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I guess I’m talking about 12-22 so part of the 25 man squad so not necessarily first team ?
So if we’re looking at CF for example someone to support Isak/ Wilson not replace Wilson
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
GoWest – yeah mate I think so – but that’s coz I don’t think we’ve really started selling or moving on the players Howe doesn’t want going into next season.
I think there’s still a strong chance we get Tierney – if so the I think he becomes first choice LB. Targett would then be his back up & Burn Botmans back up – Burn can obviously cover LB too if needed.
I think we will end up signing either Livramento or Walker-Peters from Saints.
Possibly a young CB if the right deal comes about.
If Barnes comes in then that’s us done forwards wise I reckon.
Howe said today that he plays Gordon as a forward in training games & I think he’d probably use Joelinton or ASM as a makeshift forward for now.
Sharpy17(Quote)