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 David Punton:
How important (or not) is a huge new stadium for Newcastle United?
It’s massive. There is an emotional attachment to the current St James’ Park, but when you see the new facilities other top clubs are building – and benefiting from – we really need to bite the bullet and go for the move.
But only if it’s within the city centre (Leazes Park site). There is a long way to go and it’s really unclear if it’s going to happen. I can’t see a spade being in the ground for at least 3 years. Maybe more.
There was a hint that a new training ground may happen sooner, to be fair to the owners.
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 won something. Change happens in football. It has to be embraced. The club has to be rebuild the team and stay closer to PSR alignment. I don’t like the term ‘Newcastle 2.0’ but that’s really what it is.
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?
That interview was always a mistake! That said, what was he supposed to say.
The club are miles away from being number one. In fact, let’s be realistic, unless they change the financial regulations we’ll never get there.
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?
It seems that they do. The criticism is that things still happen too slowly, especially on recruitment. We never move fast on transfer deals, which is how it looks from the outside looking in.
It’s all a bit of an unknown with PiF. They love the soft power of owning a premier league club, so I am not one who thinks they’ll vanish any time soon, though we were told a while ago that another investor may take a stake. Watch out for that one.
Three words to describe how you currently feel as a Newcastle United fan?
Unsurprised. Nervous. Cautious.
Three words to describe Newcastle United now?
Changing. Rebuilding. Hamstrung (by PSR).
Do you see it as good news or bad news that Eddie Howe resigned?
It’s sad that Eddie Howe has chosen to step down, but it appears it could well have been the right call after five years in the job.
He’d given it everything. There was just a sense that things had gone a bit stale and the fire had gone out.
A recent interview with the Newcastle United CEO laid bare the pressure the toll the job has had on Howe, hence the reason he needed time off, hope he’s okay.
Hand on heart, what position do you currently believe Newcastle United are most likely to finish in the 2026/27 Premier League season?
It’s so hard to predict, with a massively changed squad, a new manager and new signings still to come at time of writing.
It does have a feel of maybe more mid-table. I’ll go for 11th and anything above that is a bonus.
If Eddie Howe had stayed would your 2026/27 prediction have been different (up or down…)?
Perhaps the same. It’s a hard start in terms of fixtures. Had Howe of still been there, you sensed there would be more pressure on. Jaissle coming in means he needs time to rebuild and get his ideas a across. Such is the fickle nature of football.
Do you see a potential lack of leadership on the pitch next season with Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier now out of the club?
Maybe. There will need to be a new leadership group, led by Burn, Botman, Schar, Joelinton and Thiaw.
The opening six league games are Liverpool home, Spurs away, Bournemouth home, Leeds away, Hull home and Coventry away. How many points do you think Newcastle will take?
Six or seven.
What do you see as the biggest priorities in the remainder of the transfer market this summer?
Centre mid. We need to ensure there is enough there in the engine room. Another attacking player is needed too, and at least one new full back. I’ve seen claims that we may be looking at four new faces between now and deadline day. It’s needed.
Sandro Tonali leaving, your thoughts?
Not a huge surprise. A bit annoying after the club stood by him when he got a one-year ban for betting. There were moments of brilliance last season and he’ll always be remembered as he helped us win the League Cup.
What would represent success now in the 2026/27 season for Newcastle United?
Expectations have to be reset. Stay up is the bottom line. Attack the cups as much as possible.
Which eight current Newcastle United players (in order) are going to be most important for the 2026/27 season?
Hornicek, Thiaw, Burn, Joelinton, Barnes, Wissa, Hall, Miley.
How would you rate your optimism for next season at Newcastle United from 0-100?
60%
Did England have a successful 2026 World Cup finals?
Yes. They reminded me of us fighting on four fronts. By the time the semi-final came round they looked burned out and running out of ideas.
Bruno Guimaraes wanting to leave Newcastle United after four and a half years, has that changed your opinion of him as a person?
Not at all. He’s done his bit. He’s stayed about as long as I thought he would and he’s gone about leaving in largely the right way. It stings, but that’s football. He’s skippered us to a cup win! Never forgetting that.
What do you think of the choice of Matthias Jaissle as the new NUFC boss?
Hand on heart, I’d not heard of him, but I’ve seen and read good things.
He knows his stuff. He’s the club’s first ever German manager and he surely has all the tactics and tools to make a go of it. Fresh idea etc. It’s certainly not a bad choice, and could be worse. However, we’ll have to see how gets on. Results are key, as ever.