Archive for category: Managers, ex-managers and ex-players.

Cole hails “frightening” new signings at Newcastle

January 30th, 2023 | No Comments |

Andy Cole.
Cole: Impressed by Howe’s new Newcastle.
In an interview with Adam Drury, former Newcastle striker, Andy Cole, gave his thoughts on the Eddie Howe renaissance at St James’ Park.

Cole, who won his only Premier League ‘Golden Boot’ award with the Magpies in the 1993–94 season with a record 34 goals also went on to look back at his days playing for Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers,’ a previous era when Newcastle were also improving rapidly, and looked to be heading to the very top. Sadly, it was not to be though. Whilst there were top four finishes and a pair of cup final appearances after that, the Magpies never quite turned it into cups. (more…)


Howe’s Right Dilemma.

December 12th, 2022 | No Comments |

Miguel Almiron.
A completely transformed Miguel Almiron.
As I think most fans would agree, Eddie Howe and Newcastle United Technical Director, Dan Ashworth, have done as well as can be expected in augmenting the squad with their much improved transfer budget. As defenders, midfielders and finally, a new striker came in, it seemed as if logically, the next area for them to make a move would be on the right wing. Rumours about signing James Maddison from Leicester City have been rife for months but in the meantime, what on earth has happened to Miguel Almiron? (more…)


What Should the Toon Army Expect After the Saudi-Led Takeover?

November 25th, 2021 | 56 Comments |

Eddie Howe
A tough task initially for Eddie Howe.
Mike Ashley is out and Newcastle fans can start to dream again. It’s been a long time coming and tastes very sweet for thousands of the Toon Army. However, though expectations are higher than ever due to the amount of money the new owners have, success doesn’t happen overnight.

On the flip side, it’s hard not to imagine Newcastle going on the same journey as Chelsea or Man City. With hope springing eternal on the Tyne, it’s essential to keep our projections as realistic as possible. But what is realistic? (more…)


Who is New Newcastle United Assistant, Graeme Jones?

February 2nd, 2021 | 2 Comments |

Graeme Jones
Jones: Former right hand man to Roberto Martinez
Despite a good performance against Everton, it has been a poor winter for Newcastle United. It seems the club’s solution is not signing new players in the January transfer window though, but by adding to Steve Bruce’s backroom staff.

Gateshead-born Graeme Jones has joined the Magpies as assistant boss. A forward on the pitch, he began his playing career with non-league North Shields. However, he is best known for firing Wigan Athletic to the fourth-tier title (today known as EFL League Two) in the 1996-97 season. (more…)


Newcastle make their best start since the Championship, but Bruce still gets no respect

December 8th, 2020 | 7 Comments |

Steve Bruce
Bruce: No respect at all.
He’s the Rodney Dangerfield of football, Rodney Dangerfield being the famous American comedian whose catchphrase was ‘I get no respect, no respect at all!’ But meanwhile, despite all the moaning, considering the resources at his disposal, Newcastle are actually doing as well as can be expected, at the least, they certainly aren’t doing badly.

In their first ten games, Newcastle have won 14 points with a 40% win percentage, not the greatest until you consider that in 2019/20 they’d only won 3 points, and before that, Benitez only won 3 too, though he equalled Bruce’s first ten game total in our first season after promotion. Bruce and Benitez have had similar league finishes, both have played a similar style, counterattacking football with a big target man up front which isn’t the most exciting to watch, and yet one was almost worshipped and the other is treated with disdain, but why? (more…)