* Yes, this pun relies on the Sunderland “Haway the lads” rather than the Newcastle “Howay the Lads”, but it’s a visual joke and I'm stuck with it.
**Offensive alternate thread title spoilered below
In profound contrast to the past few years, it seems like there may be NUFC news this summer (plus the last substantive post in last year’s thread will never be topped). So here we go with a 22/23 thread. When last we left them, Newcastle had spent 90M for five players in January:
And, yes, they got bought by a country (technically a county’s investment fund, but the same family owns and controls both the fund and most of the country, so close enough). My own feeling is that I supported Newcastle and opposed the Saudi royal family before the takeover, and will continue to support Newcastle and oppose the Saudi royal family after the takeover. The sportswashing only works if we actually change our opinion of them. But I reserve the right to change my mind if the money spent gets too gross or they keep doing shit like the proposed third shirt this year. My new club will be either Clapton FC or ASD Montalcino; I will create a poll if the time comes.
My expectation is that Newcastle will spend an amount slightly less than the more desperate of the Big 6 and end up top half next year. Whatever level they are trying to reach, it’s not a one-year journey to get there.
**
**Offensive alternate thread title spoilered below
In profound contrast to the past few years, it seems like there may be NUFC news this summer (plus the last substantive post in last year’s thread will never be topped). So here we go with a 22/23 thread. When last we left them, Newcastle had spent 90M for five players in January:
- Kieran Trippier ended up hurt nearly the whole time. He has two more years left on his contract and will be 32 next year. If healthy, he should still be an
- Chris Wood did his best pre-2022 Joelinton impression and is probably gone in the summer.
- Matt Targett was just a loan. Newcastle have a cheap (~10M) buy option but look like they will try to find someone better first.
- Dan Burn played just about every minute after his arrival and the team defense improved almost immediately upon his arrival. He is signed for two more years as well, is from Newcastle originally, and seems like an excellent fit.
- Bruno Guimaraes played hardly at all for the first month, seemingly because either he or Eddie Howe wanted to play him centrally, there is only one CM in Howe’s 4-3-3, and Captain Jonjo had that shot locked up. Then they changed their minds and he was the team’s best player down the stretch. A player who could actually win things.
And, yes, they got bought by a country (technically a county’s investment fund, but the same family owns and controls both the fund and most of the country, so close enough). My own feeling is that I supported Newcastle and opposed the Saudi royal family before the takeover, and will continue to support Newcastle and oppose the Saudi royal family after the takeover. The sportswashing only works if we actually change our opinion of them. But I reserve the right to change my mind if the money spent gets too gross or they keep doing shit like the proposed third shirt this year. My new club will be either Clapton FC or ASD Montalcino; I will create a poll if the time comes.
My expectation is that Newcastle will spend an amount slightly less than the more desperate of the Big 6 and end up top half next year. Whatever level they are trying to reach, it’s not a one-year journey to get there.
**
Newcastle United 22/23: The Premier League is a Meat Grinder