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…)
Alexander Isak: a £60 million panic buy? To say that Newcastle United have made mistakes in the last few years when it comes to strikers would be an understatement. Carroll, Slimani, Joselu, Muto, Joelinton and Chris Wood are just a few of the strikers we’ve signed who couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo. There are also the strikers who disappointed at Newcastle, but went on to thrive elsewhere, like Alexander Mitrović and Ivan Toney, who can now be seen banging them in on a regular basis at Fulham and Brentford respectively. Rondon was OK ish but he only lasted a season, and even when Eddie Howe seemed to have an answer at last with Callum Wilson, he become the biggest injury magnet in the Premier League. (more…)
Will ‘the Saint’ be enough to save Newcastle? There is only one thing that stops the “we want Brucey out” chants at St James Park and that is the expectant roar whenever Allan Saint-Maximin gets on the ball. Indeed, even the most fed-up Geordie will momentarily put his grievances with the manager to one side to appreciate the spectacle that follows.
The French winger breathes life into the terraces of St James’ Park and reminds fans of why they fell in love with the sport in the first place. Indeed, Saint-Maximin’s carefree nature with the ball at his feet is a throwback to simpler times given that his approach is so refreshingly straightforward: run at the opposition and put the fear of God into their backline. (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…)
Callum Wilson, Allan St.Maximin and Joe Willock It’s hasn’t always been an easy watch this season, but a run of one defeat in seven games looks to have saved this campaign for Newcastle.
Bookmakers have pushed the Magpies as far out as 14/1 to go down, compared to 1/9 for a Fulham side suddenly in big trouble below them. While the job isn’t quite complete yet, Newcastle fans can breathe a little easier after several months of watching the team play toothless football on its way into a relegation fight. (more…)