The current pre-season situation that Newcastle United find themselves in is certainly dividing opinion and polarising our fan base.
Whilst this is to be expected, I do find it astounding that any criticism of the way the club is being run or suggestion that the road ahead looks rocky is met with accusations of disloyalty and unfaithfulness.
Some critics are even accused of not being true fans.
I wonder then, when is the right time to ring alarm bells?
When should we voice concern if we are not convinced by the path we are on? In my opinion the time to ring alarm bells is not after your house has burnt down. Ring those bells early to raise awareness when you see hazard or danger ahead.
I want to be totally convinced that my team is on the right track and on an upward trajectory. I have supported Newcastle United for over 50 years. I’ve seen us play at the San Siro in the Champions League and Cambridge on a wet Tuesday evening. I’m fully aware that being a fan of NUFC is a bumpy ride.
What I want for us, though, is to eventually be up there with the best. Season 24/25 was memorable for winning a trophy, but I also remember that teams feared playing us. Ask current champions Arsenal how they felt about playing Newcastle. They didn’t manage a win, in four games against us. Arteta became exasperated when playing against us, even blaming the ball for the loss in the Carabao semis.
Contrast that with season 25/26. No one even feared playing at our fortress, St James’ Park. Mediocre teams like Brentford, Everton and the Unmentionables left with the chocolates. How many times did we snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory? How many 1-0 leads were turned into 2-1 defeats? Clearly our game plan was falling apart and some sort of infusion was needed.
Last season we couldn’t defend and we couldn’t score. These are football fundamentals! I still believe, if we had found the right goalscorer to replace Isak the season would have been remarkably different. We gambled and after missing out on our primary targets, we chose players who didn’t fit in with our playing style.
This season looks like we are going down the same pathway, desperately hoping that Will Osula will be the answer to our goalscoring woes. Or maybe Wissa will fire up. Possibly Woltemade will acquire an extra yard of pace. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not convinced we can fill that void up front with what we have.
In season 24/25 we had arguably the best midfield combo in the Premier League. We had a formidable forward line with Isak probably hard on the heels of Erling Harland as the most feared striker in the Premier League. Goalkeeper and right wing were perhaps the only two positions that needed reinforcing. It felt like we were on the cusp of something remarkable.
So, how many positions need reinforcing now? Have we filled the gaping holes left in the wake of Isak, Tonali, Guimaraes, Trippier and Gordon leaving? Is Lewis Hall about to fly the nest?
This pre-season we have brought in some potential stars of the future and maybe we’re about to sign a new midfield leader in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, or another experienced midfielder with a similar profile. Perhaps this augurs well for the longer term but what about now? Is the squad stronger than last year? Are these squad changes suggesting that we are likely to improve on last season’s twelfth finish?
I repeatedly hear fans saying there’s plenty of time in the window to improve the squad. But is there? There’s just over two weeks left. Newcastle always do their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Are we looking for last-minute bargains again this year? The squad should have been assembled well before now. Nobody wants white pottery elephants for Christmas.
The Editor’s recent article eloquently asked the question ‘Who’s in charge at Newcastle United as the chaos reigns?’
Where is the leadership at Newcastle United? Who is calling the shots and are they as invested as the fans? These were legitimate questions to ask. PIF ownership aside, each of our off-field leaders has been here for a year or less. I’m all for a new broom and that but why have we had such a merry-go-round of player and management departures?
Fans shouldn’t be chastised for voicing concern about the path we are on, or the road ahead, or posing questions to the leadership. As football fans we blindly and loyally follow our team through thick and thin. Sadly, not all management share the same values or suffer in the same way. Is the message still that we are aiming to compete at the top, or are we now being asked to settle for mid table mediocrity?
Blind optimism, though, often masks reality. Eddie Howe wasn’t blind about what he saw unravelling at Newcastle United. Bruno could see clearly too. Turbulence ahead. Fasten your seatbelts.
I desperately want us to be the best. That’s my dream. The PIF takeover raised our hopes that this was possible. I know that we can blame PSR, SCR, BBC, the AA, the NHS and anybody else we can think of for our problems but at the end of the day we trust that we are being led wisely from the top and that our passion for NUFC is genuinely shared with the hierarchy.
I sincerely hope that Matthias Jaissle is provided with the necessary tools and shared ambition to resurrect our football fortunes. Only then will he prove himself to be a rock star and show that these pronouncements from our CEO are more than mere platitudes.
Remember though, that to be a rock star you need to have a band!