So it seems we have several sets of fans amongst this forum. I’m very inbetween, I’m Switzerland on this occasion. We have: Fan set 1: If we don’t improve on last season finishing 4th, I’m pissed off. I want more, I don’t care about the Ashley era. I expect more money to be spent, trophies to be won now & to win the majority of games in the league whilst being more ambitious with transfers. Eddie isn’t good enough for what the new owners want/need. The champions league knockout stages were there for the taking, which we failed to do. & then we have Fan set 2: I’m just grateful the fact we are much better than we were 2/3 years ago with Bruce & Ashley. We need to put things into perspective on how far we’ve come & not wet the bed everytime we lose a game. FFP is in place for a reason, we can’t just chuck money where and when we like it. Eddie has done a brilliant job. We were in a tough group in the CL and matched elite teams. We should be proud. & then we have (as per requested) Fan set 3: I’m happy with the improvement made these last couple of years, I just feel there’s certain issues I don’t feel Howe has the experience to fix. I’d be happy with 6th, that would be a successful season. No trophy? That’ll come at some point.
Can I have an option 3 added Things are going well things are so much better, but there's definitely issues surrounding squad management, style of play and in game management?
Fan set 2. It was always obvious that other teams would improve. Liverpool, Spurs, Villa have improved and don't have CL football to worry about this year. We always knew our squad was thin as ****. Top 6 finish this season would be a good finish. Since Liverpool are not in the europa league next season, we could probably win it. We've shown that at our best we can compete with the likes of PSG and Milan, we're just not quite there yet. We don't have the squad. It was always gonna be a good 5 years before we'd be able to really mix it up with the likes of City, liverpool etc. I'd be happy with a top 5-6 finish and with the fixtures we have from feb onwards with no european football to worry about, it can still be a good season. We have to play in the toughest CL group by far, and we've had to play man city, man utd, chelsea in the cup. We've had a nightmare set of fixtures.
I don't see that happening. 8th would be a concern tbh, we've had to really **** up the 2nd half of our season, considering we've had a tougher set of fixture and are still currently 6th, and we we should have Botman, Schar, Barnes, Isak all back fit. I just don't see it. If we finish 8th I expect Howe may be sacked unfortunately. The current top 4 is the top 4 I expect. I see Spurs finishing maybe stronger, but who else? Man Utd are consistent against the lesser sides but they struggle against bigger opposition, where as we don't. All we have to do is improve our away form and we'll be in business.
I'll take option number 4. Things are much better than before, heading in a steady direction which will come with bumps in the road. Improvements have been huge and Eddie Howe takes all the plaudits for that. We understand what FFP is and the fact we're at our limits. Things will get better in the summer. These fair weather ****ers need drowned. Locked out of SJP forever and have their memberships revoked. The very thought of them singing "We are the loyalist football supporters the world has ever had" in the stands of an increased SJP or new stadium makes me want to vomit.
Question. Given Newcastles dreadful away form, the current issues with injuries, fatigue, fixture congestion, appalling recent form and an inability for the manager to rotate ! What leads you to think things will improve?
By 2024 I’ll be on option 17 at this rate. So much divide upon our fanbase I wanted a clear poll/topic to determine where everyone stands. I am the part of the jury on this one.
I'm actually happy with top 10 and was hoping for a cup but knew for a fact we wouldn't win one. Thinking about this I don't think my position or expectation will ever change.
I find it so odd these injuries. I mean Barnes has had a dodgy toe for months, we seem to get players limping every single game. Championship teams play **** loads of games with the same 11 and don’t get these issues. Is Howe working these lads into the ground? Howe is the type he’ll say to the players on Christmas Day, open your pressies lads but I want you at Benton for 9.30am. Only a 6 hour sprint session today.
They've not been training anywhere near to the same extent, its been in for recovery sessions and tactical sessions as there simply hasn't been the time to work on fitness with the squad depth being what it is currently.
I don't. I agree with some of your points on the threads, especially when it comes to football and the team management. But, I disagree when you target our board. All evidence I have seen they're doing a good job and investing where it counts. Howe won't win a trophy, but I don't think he was hired for it.
