Newcastle United fans preparing for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Less than two weeks to go now until Liverpool travel to St James’ Park.
An ‘interesting’ summer so far…
So many talking points.
An ideal time to get a snapshot of views from Newcastle United fans on their thoughts.
So we sent out questions to a number of regular/irregular contributors to The Mag, varying to a degree the questions that different fans received to answer.
Next up answering some questions is Russ S:
With so much change, how do you currently feel when it comes to balancing fears of the end of a relatively successful era and hopes of the dawning of the chance of a new successful different era? (So if you have 100% fears and 0% hopes that would be 100/0, if feeling 60% fear and 40% hope then 60/40)
After taking it all in and giving some time to reflect, I’m 70-30 hope in favour of fear.
What do you now see as the minimum Newcastle United need to achieve this coming season?
Some form of European qualification and a cup run, ideally win. It’s important to evidence progression and this so called NUFC 2.0.
Some time ago Yasir Al-Rumayyan said the intention was to make Newcastle United number one in the world, how far along the road to that do you think we are?
Unfortunately we are nowhere near. Steady progress is what is needed and hopefully this is the next step in climbing that ladder.
When the takeover happened on 7 October 2021, if somebody at that point had told you then what would happen by August 2026, would you have taken it?
Yes. A trophy was amazing, more than I have seen in my lifetime. Swashbuckling champions league nights. Pride restored. Yes!
Three words to describe how you currently feel as a Newcastle United fan?
Intrigued, bewildered, excited
Three words to describe this summer 2026 NUFC transfer window so far?
Rollercoaster, gut-punch, reset
Do you think Newcastle United would have had more or less chance of having a successful 2026/27 season if Eddie Howe had stayed?
I was gutted when he went, but I was also one of those calling for change, albeit with him at the helm. Clubs need to evolve and ultimately I think we would have had less of a chance if he remained.
Hand on heart, what position do you currently believe Newcastle United are most likely to finish in the 2026/27 Premier League season?
I honestly could not tell you. With a straight face, I could tell you that aiming for Champions League is achievable. I could also accept we may be in a lower quarter of the league battle. I think we will hover between the Conference, Europa, CL positions.
Bruno leaves, so who do you think would be best choice of NUFC captain?
Dan Burn, but he won’t start all that much. Miley maybe, or Thiaw/Botman.
The opening six league games are Liverpool home, Spurs away, Bournemouth home, Leeds away, Hull home and Coventry away. How many points would Newcastle need to take for you to be happy and what would you predict will be the reality?
Would be over the moon with 16. Think realistically probably 12.
Anthony Gordon leaving, your thoughts?
Unemotional. I think we all saw it coming, and all saw the benefits for all parties. It is a proven ambition that he always wanted to go to Barca from being a kid. Did well for us but dropped off. The reality to those of us that watched him was that he was far too inconsistent. Good luck to the lad.
By say Christmas and with all players fit, what do you predict will be the Newcastle United first choice eleven for the 2026/27 season and please put ‘new signing’ in any position where you think that will turn out to be the case.
Difficult, because there will be incomings. As it stands, Horniceck, Timo, Hall, Thiaw, Botman, Bamba, Miley, Barnes, Wolt, Elanga, Wissa
Predict the top six in the Premier League (in order) and which three clubs will be relegated in 2026/27.
Arsenal, Man City, Man U, Liverpool, Spurs, Toon.
Hull Ipswich and Coventry to go down
Which eight current Newcastle United players (in order) are going to be most important for the 2026/27 season?
Hall, Tino, Thiaw, Barnes, Woltemade, Horniceck, Bamba, Wissa
What thoughts do you have on the 2026 World Cup finals overall?
Some amazing moments tarnished by some amazing examples of corruption. Hoping the next one is more back to normal.
Bruno Guimaraes wanting to leave Newcastle United after four and a half years, has that changed your opinion of him as a person?
On a sporting level no. Probably a financial one no (we all work to get paid) but I am disappointed by how he has gone about it. I think he has tarnished his legacy with the fans by agitating through a ‘Super Agent’ and staying silent. So much for being one of us eh. Unfortunately for me, just another really good player we had. Not a legend.
Do you think the Newcastle United owners have a strong long-term plan for the club, or are they making it up as they go along?
Taking a view of things now, I think I am seeing the broad outlines of a plan and progress. I’m cautiously optimistic there is a long term plan.
What do you think of the choice of Matthias Jaissle as the new NUFC boss?
Left field, unsure, could be a progressive and transformational appointment that is inspired. Hopefully not another Liam Rosenior!!! Quite impressed by him so far.