THE SPECIAL - Everton at home
Newcastle United v Everton, St James’ Park, 25/May/2025, KO 16:00, Premier League.
As I write this I am on a train going away from Newcastle, wishing I was staying for the biggest game since March 16th. On the other platform are signs about a game taking place at Wembley today. Second division football is interesting and care free for us most of the time, particularly since Rafa pulled us out of it. How sweet would it be tomorrow to celebrate Champions League football for 2025 in Newcastle, with some more Championship football for our nearest neighbours (apologies to Gateshead). Then again, watching the lowest points total in Premier League history will be fun too.
Flash back to October 2024 and one of my mates mentioned doing the Edinburgh marathon on the final day of the season. He got injured, I didn’t. Despite considering different routes of planes, trains, and automobiles I can’t fit them both in. I am missing on Sunday. Sky were to be my bail out but they’ve decided a game that will change absolutely nothing involving Liverpool and a trophy lift is the game that needs attention.
So instead I start the process to show Sky why they are wrong by reading Nick Clark’s excellent preview of this game.
Arsenal at the weekend feels like what might have been. Even a point there would have made us almost certain to qualify. I dislike Everton, or the Scouse Mackems, because they are regularly able to take points against us when they shouldn’t. Last season, no different – completely outplayed until Paul ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Dummett got involved. I was at Goodison this season when Anthony Gordon missed a pen, Pickford celebrated wildly – he is an irritant but one that we can get past.
Our own injury issues seem to have resurfaced but I would be more than a little surprised not to see Alex Isak in the starting line up. Like Anfield, the news of his injury came out of nowhere, but seventy minutes against a make shift back line here should have him licking his lips.
Barnes deserves to keep his place and I would go back to 4-3-3. Miley in the midfield, Krafth at full back and our own Scouser to come on and rub salt in the wounds. Yes, please.
We aren’t there and two free pints should be enough to get the vocal cords wet and ready to back the lads, even more important than it was two weeks ago. NUFC have had some huge games this season - this is one that could alter our future and those of the clubs below us for some time to come. It is imperative that we win.
Big Dan Burn’s new contract extension announced this morning is great news for him and points towards the general planning for next season in terms of domestic quotas. Tomorrow could be a swansong for Sean Longstaff, though I only expect to see him if it is definitely done, or if it definitely isn’t happening. Likewise Callum Wilson, though that may depend on the fitness of others.
I was asked two questions recently about my favourite game of the season (excluding Wembley) and player of the season. Sandro Tonali has to be the front runner for the latter, however, BDB is probably the runner up, with a special mention to Jacob Murphy and AI14. For favourite game there were a number of options: Man U (home and away); Arsenal (both legs of the semi final); Palace at home; Chelsea at home and Brentford at home in the League Cup. This has been an incredible season.
Yet it could feel a failure if having got so close to a cup and CL top five place, we fall short. I am old enough to be able to say that I would have taken a cup victory and relegation – I had after the 2023 final just thought it was never to be. Now we have the cup victory, to me this season will be my favourite ever, but the next game matters so much for what comes next.
I don’t want to feel disappointment in this season of all seasons. I don’t want to spend the summer watching us sell prize assets to simply meet PSR pressures. I don’t want to think that we won’t have a better squad next season. Also Spurs are there and they are dreadful.
So it is time to buckle up. No time or space for nerves but a time to show the same spirit that we showed ten years ago when a different squad went into a game needing a win and took it. Someone needs to be Jonas this season. Someone needs to score the goal. It would be great if it wasn’t like Chelsea, but it could be – stick with it. Everton are better away than at home, but score twice and you will beat them. Go for it!
Start fast United, treat it like a sprint, get well in front and like Usain Bolt cruise to the line.
For some of an older, more negative vintage (this correspondent), it is hard to get used to this idea that we win big games. But at home we do, this is our house, this is our domain, this is our chance. Seize it and take history with you, it would make it the pathway to maybe one day soon have a day like Liverpool.
Get into them, we will support you ever more.
Stephen Ord @smord84
P.S. As a sidenote a special thanks to everyone who reads the Special, the reports, the ratings, the previews, the articles – we don’t do it for recognition but it is great to think other Mags all over the world connect with this stuff.
P.P.S A special mention to our editors in chief Matthew Philpotts and Michael Martin – without them none of this stuff gets done and you don’t read a thing.
Have a great summer, see you in August!
Mick’s Other stuff
Get your tickets here
Eddie Howe Press Conference v Everton
Arsenal Reaction Podcast
Favourite Shirt
Well in to the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, the Fans Advisory Board and of course Newcastle United for their continuing support to the Newcastle United Fans Foodbank via the donation of £5 from the sale of every club shirt sold.
Obviously this news coincided with the release of the new adidas kit for next season (which will be worn for the first time today). This kind of stuff is a classic example of club, supporters and community working together to help those in real need. Excellent work.
Political Football
So that’s Gary Lineker finished with the BBC it seems. Unlike the likes of Alan Sugar or Jeremy Clarkson, when Lineker expressed his political opinions, all hell was rained down upon him by the right-wing media who came out in hives at some pretty moderate rebukes for frothing mouthed Tory Home Secretaries and his concern for the death and destruction brought by Israel to the poor people of Gaza which was simply an expression human sentiment. A mistake with that tweet? Unquestionably and one he removed and apologised for immediately. Not enough for the attack dogs of Rothermere, Murdoch etc.
For what its worth yours truly believes he’s done a good job. His credentials to lead the iconic MoTD show for so long could not have been better - a genuine, bona-fide, football legend who excelled in the game, played it honourably and has been an excellent media operator. Class and dignity. Unlike his BBC bosses it seems.
Good luck to him in what he does next.
Odds On …
Early days yet, admittedly, but any news on the odds being offered for Sunderland to break the PL low points record and earliest relegation in the 25/26 season to be communicated to the TF bunker without delay.
Random Football Stickers of Tyneside … via Brescia, Italy.
Heart Health
A few people in the word of football getting behind this including Sky Sports.
We’ve experienced supporters having heart attacks in the stands in recent years and of course we’ve lost Pavel and had a scare with Davide.
This could be a lifesaver.
Booked
Here’s what looks to be a great new book from former Newcastle United player, physio and accomplished author Paul Ferris whose previous two brilliant books Mag readers have enjoyed reading.
You can get at the new book here directly from the publisher and with a 30% discount sorted by our Newcastle United Supporters Trust - NUFCTRUST30.
You can also catch TRUE FAITH’s Matthew Philpotts’ excellent review of Paul’s book here.
Read and Watch
If you have enjoyed reading Spencer Vignes’ book Postcards From Santiago or intend to buy it or need to be persuaded to have a look at it, may we recommend Adrian Chiles’ interview with the author on BBC SOUNDS.
Here is TF’s very own Stephen Ord with a review of the book - click here for more gen about a fascinating figure and period in Newcastle United history.
Mag Minds
We are only too happy to get right behind the Newcastle United Foundation’s Mental Health campaign Be A Game Changer - have a read of this and if it matters to you or someone you know then job done from us in bringing it to your attention. All the best
Scot’s Wahey!
Not surprisingly, United’s pre-season friendly at Celtic has sold out which means we will take the thick end of 7500 Mags to Glasgow on the 19/Jul/25. If any of you are stopping over in a brilliant football city, we’d recommend tours of Ibrox and Celtic Park which are excellent. However, thanks to the Newcastle United Supporters Trust there is a discount on a tour of Hampden Park and the Scottish Football Museum. We’ll likely see some of you there.
Details here.
Talk, Talk
The TRUE FAITH Podcasts are by common consent, absolutely mint … for a pittance you can get a massive amount of high quality content doon your lugs most days and its only ever about our beloved Newcastle United … click here and very soon you’ll become a TF Patreon.
Join Newcastle United Supporters Trust - our club’s only members-led, democratic, campaigning, properly constituted, long-standing, accountable supporters organisation. Join here
If you are an NUST member you will have received the e-mail regards the round-table event to take place at the Tyneside Irish Centre on 11/Jun/25 at 6:30pm to discuss what you are getting from your Mags membership (if you are a member).
This is the kind of structured consultation we need from a proper supporters organisation so that we can be represented correctly to Newcastle United as opposed to ranting on the internet. You can express an interest in joining the event here.
Newcastle United Fans Foodbank
Please donate what you can - support Geordies, support our communities - click here.
Wor Flags
Click here to donate.
Good luck Ordy!
My thoughts exactly Steve. Although it will still have been a great season if we don't get over the CL line it won't feel like it.
Start fast, start strong, get the crowd going and Gerrin to Them.