“Hello, people of podland and beyond”, those were the words of fellow Mag writer Jamie Smith, as he introduced the inaugural episode of ‘The Mag Podcast’, back in August.
For those Newcastle United fans who haven’t yet listened, I urge you to do so, because it’s excellent.
We’re up to Episode 15 now and to date, Jamie has been joined for each episode by Simon Cahill, a southern convert to all things Newcastle United according to his Mag bio (he certainly sounds like he’s from down south) as well as the miserable mag himself, David Hutchinson, AKA Hutch (who sounds very much like a local).
Whilst Jamie and I have writing for The Mag in common, we don’t know each other and have only met each other in person once, but nonetheless, I have been heaping praise on him for most of the time after listening to each episode, including episodes 2 and 3, which I listened to high above the Atlantic Ocean as I flew in and out of New York on a family holiday (I reckoned that must have been a first for the pod).
I listen on Spotify, there are alternatives to this – Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube if you like, and you can also play direct from the article that Simon routinely posts as each episode is released. I haven’t read a lot of comments from other Newcastle United fans about it, so it’s hard to get a handle on how The Mag Pod is being received. As I said earlier though, I think it’s marvellous.
During the past three months, the guys have navigated hugely important issues such as Manchester City’s alleged indiscretions with the 115 charges, and football’s loss of community with the increasing amount of commercial interests impinging on the beautiful game, as well as the possibility of new legislation to allow the consumption of alcohol in the stands.
Jamie, who speaks with a heavy Geordie accent but does so as eloquently as he writes, talked with passion to mark the passing of King Kev, The Mag podcast doing its very own tribute to the Messiah in episode 2.
I normally listen on my commute into work on the 21 bus. I often find myself laughing out loud, something that seems to make my fellow passengers extremely nervous from the looks I get when this invariably happens.
When discussing the 115 charges and potential punishments in episode 8, Jamie used the US justice system to illustrate how a massive points deduction for Man City would be as futile as those 500-year prison sentences they hand down in places like Alabama. That had me in stitches!
That was after Hutch had made a complete hash of introducing the Carabao Cup draw in episode 7, although in suggesting that we would lose to Fleetwood if we were to get them, he showed great foresight given that was Arsenal ‘s fate when they played at the other Highbury. Meanwhile, Simon was all over the place, when asked to read out the results from the Nations League matches during the international break.
In episode 9 (and you could tell that the International Break was grinding by this time) the guys even imagined themselves as Sam Beckett from the TV show Quantum Leap, in which they afforded themselves the opportunity to travel back in time in an attempt to change the course of history for Newcastle United.
The point here is that this isn’t easy, but they do a great job with humility and humour.
In the most recent episode (number 15) which has just aired, the lads gave their ratings on the season so far, Jamie and Simon going for D minus, with Hutch offering a marginally better assessment at D. I have to say, this did enrage me, particularly after my most recent article, ‘Lies, damn lies, and statistics (and Newcastle United)’ in which I made the case for Matthias Jaissle because we aren’t any worse off than last season and have in fact amassed a staggering five points more from our opponents these ten games into the season than was the case last time out in the corresponding fixtures. My own assessment, had I been asked – C plus (could do better but certainly not in special measures).
Had I also been asked to grade The Mag podcast, I’d be inclined to settle at a B; it’s still early days, but it’s improving week by week, the material is interesting, there is often humour and when I compare it to other Newcastle United podcasts I have listened to, I think it’s a whole lot better.
Call me biased if you want, but if you haven’t done so, give it a go and a big shout out to Jamie, Simon and Hutch, I’m already looking forward to episode 16.
🎙️ THE MAG PODCAST
Ep 15: Fulham frustration, Newcastle United’s season report card and Relegation fears
Listen to the latest episode of The Mag Pod! Join Jamie, Simon, and Hutch for unfiltered football debate.
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