Two signings so far, how many more? Newcastle United have had quite a busy transfer window so far though unfortunately, this has been more to avoid relegation from the Premier League than build a squad capable of Champions League qualification as many hoped. There have been a lot of rumours as to whom the club will sign, and have set their sights on quite a few players in recent weeks. Lucas Digne looked set to join the club but then made the switch to join Aston Villa instead which come as a shock to some Newcastle fans. (more…)
Joe Willock: Toon’s only Summer signing. One thing most Toon fans can agree about is that Joe Willock certainly made a very positive impression during his loan spell last season. If anything, it seemed as if he was almost too good (bear with me). With every performance (and every goal), it seemed as if he was drifting away from us, either Arsenal would see the error of their ways and want him back, or his price would escalate to the point where notoriously tightfisted Toon owner, Mike Ashley, would get the vapours at the sums being mentioned, but it didn’t. Willock was sold for around the price we thought he would be in the first place if the figures being bandied around (£20-25 million) are to be believed. (more…)
Are the Magpies still stuck in the mud? Newcastle United finished the 2020/21 campaign on a high note with an impressive run of results that allowed the club to place at 12th in the Premier League. The club has summed up mid-table mediocrity since their return to the top flight in 2017. Dating back further, the Magpies have finished in the top half on only three occasions since owner Mike Ashley bought the club in 2007. (more…)
Can Callum Wilson keep up his form through December? As expected, Newcastle United are having an indifferent season, and manager Steve Bruce is dividing opinions. While one can understand that he could not spend what he would have liked to in the summer transfer window, it must be noted that the team are not playing free-flowing and dynamic football that many fans would like to see.
Just like last season, Newcastle are not going to get relegated from the Premier League, but the St. James’ Park faithful would like to see the team show more ambition. It may be a case of hoping against hope, but perhaps things in December will change. (more…)
The Bellagraph Nova Group in Paris.As Phaedrus once wrote:“Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”
I have thought of Phaedrus’s wisdom more than once when investigating prospective new owners of Newcastle United. Who can forget Rick Parker’s infamous Mackem ‘fakeover‘ where a Sunderland supporting scallywag posed as ‘Richard Parkinson,’ a £250 million textile baron and offshore investor from Ponteland who declared an interest in buying the club for £90 million, promising to turn Newcastle United into a fan’s trust and reinstalling Alan Shearer as manager with a large transfer kitty. Then there was Barry Moat, the mysterious ‘Capital Group’ and several others… (more…)
