Newcastle United fans preparing for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Less than three 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 Toon Man:
Claimed back in October 2021 that Newcastle United was simply a ‘Sportswashing’ project for Saudi Arabia, has that proved to be the reality?
Absolutely and unequivocally not! I wish they would challenge the status quo with a battery of lawyers. Instead, its timidity and silence.
Three words to describe how you currently feel as a Newcastle United fan?
I am ok with the changes at the club, both the players and the gaffer. We finished 12th last year and embarrassed ourselves in many matches including the derbies.
We needed change.
Still, football in general has me a bit down in the dumps. There is no way to break into the elite with the current rules and the “Amercianisation” of the sport is troubling.
Three words to describe Newcastle United now?
Hope, Potential. Risky.
Do you see it as good news or bad news that Eddie Howe resigned?
Both Eddie and the club needed the change. He is too good a man to be publicly crucified and the season ahead will be bumpy – especially at the start of the season. The club needed fresh ideas and energy.
Hand on heart, what position do you currently believe Newcastle United are most likely to finish in the 2026/27 Premier League season?
12th – same as last season
If Eddie Howe had stayed would your 2026/27 prediction have been different (up or down…)?
Ironically, I was Eddie out when playing three matches a week with the same group of players. But, he is excellent at developing players and managing a less congested schedule. I would have trusted him with the reset.
If Bruno leaves, who do you think would be best choice of NUFC captain?
Big Dan Burn – he’s a true Geordie and aligns with the fans and is respected on the pitch. The caveat, is he needs to be on the pitch. Co-captain is Miley.
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?
9 points would make me happy….but the reality is 6.
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)
20% fear. 80% hope.
Anthony Gordon leaving, your thoughts?
I think of the people who left, Gordon has the biggest upside. But, he left the right way and for a fair price. I wish him well, particularly as he’s not going to regularly (if ever) play against us.
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.
Hornicek, Tino, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Elanga, Miley, Ramsey, Barnes, Woltemade, Osula. 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2
What do you now see as the minimum Newcastle United need to achieve this coming season?
Top 12 with improvement as season progresses
Predict the top six in the Premier League (in order) in 2026/27.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Villa, Tottenham
Which eight current Newcastle United players (in order) are going to be most important for the 2026/27 season?
Woltemade, Miley, Ramsey, Hall, Burn, Osula, Tino, Barnes
NUFC CEO David Hopkinson said the intention is that by 2030 the club will be competing to win all competitions. What do you make of what he said?
We’ve moved to the BVB model – it’ll take an incredible job by Ross Wilson to make it happen. I think he was just preparing the fanbase for the reset and the bumps that’ll occur before progression can happen. Keeping our eyes on the 2030 prize.
How would you rate your optimism for next season at Newcastle United from 0-100? 60%.
We may not get the points or the position in the standings we’d like – but we’ll see a team put in the graft and young stars in the making.
How important (or not) is a huge new stadium for Newcastle United?
It is key! It shows intent by the owners and allows for the revenue to invest in the squad.
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. We peaked early and the unfair financial rules put us back – as I believe they were intended to do. I love the journey up to now and expect the coming years to be ones of continuing and lasting improvement.
Did England have a successful 2026 World Cup finals?
Yes (I am an American but have always followed The Three Lions).
It’s a shame that Tuchel went so negative once we got the lead in the semis. Beating France in a cracking match would be enough to make me happy though.
Bruno Guimaraes wanting to leave Newcastle United after four and a half years, has that changed your opinion of him as a person?
Yes. I thought he truly loved Newcastle and the fans and would finish his days here. With that said, I think he was too slow to continue to play at his very best and he’ll regret going to Arsenal and playing a reduced role.
Who would you have liked to see replace Eddie Howe, Matthias Jaissle or somebody else?
Obviously, Pep would have been my first choice! Pochettino next. But, after that I had no real ambition. I’ll trust the process with Jaissle….from what I read about him…he may be the best fit.