Regarding the 'United' comments. There appears to be an undercurrent in the media to refer to us as Newcastle and not Newcastle United, gradually erasing our United paves the way for the mancs to be referred solely as United. Similar with their neighbours being referred to simply as City.
I noticed last year one commentator during a TV match referring to Sheffield United as Sheff U and further down the leagues Notts County are now referred to as Notts on BBC.
My conspiracy theory is that when the yanks get control of the requisite number of clubs, they'll force through name changes that prevents multiple clubs using same suffixes, so we'd be Newcastle Magpies, together with Leeds Whites, Sheff U, Wednesday, Palace, Forest, etc.
I worry about playing the same 11 all the time, sooner or later fatigue will set in or some clever coach will figure us out. We have 3 top class midfielders wanting game time. Got to keep things fresh.
The squad is thin at the moment. I worry that if Isaac is injured, we only have Osuna, and without Schar we only have Kelly. Neither has much PL experience. We surely have enough right wingers and goalies?
Anyway, great piece Michael, happy new year and Howay the Lads!
Enjoyed the article although I have to say that personally I am not aware of anyone who felt that Howes future depended on the outcome of the three games referred to.
Agree that we should retain Trippier until the end of the season.
If we need to sell to buy then perhaps Harvey Barnes is the one to sacrifice.
Great bit of writing Michael and echos my thoughts on the season. Also agree with your UNITED point of view, it must be a 40+ thing😂
We have to keep Trippier as well, at least till the summer (I’d love to see him in a coaching role as well but we’ll see). He is a massive part of that dressing room and still has quality and a lot to offer in terms of his experience.
Thanks for keeping me entertained in 2024 and I very much look forward to reading your ramblings in 2025 👍🏻
Happy new year Michael and keep on keepin’ on, I love your stuff. I picked up the Mirror on whichever day it was, and read about a dark day for United! I could’ve sworn we’d more or less hammered Manchester! I must have been mistaken.
Yes and the touting of Isak by all those pundits who despite their platitudes would hate to see us doing REALLY well, is annoying, predictable and funny all at once. It was Gordon to City yesterday, according to our North-Eastern correspondent who has to appease his South-Eastern bosses at the Mirror. Well Gordon himself pointedly shot down that stuff in an interview last week.
Anyway all the best and I’ll be somewhere in the smoke! Hwtl!
Great piece Mick, couldn't agree more about Tripps.
He's a real leader and we need to keep him.
Regarding the 'United' comments. There appears to be an undercurrent in the media to refer to us as Newcastle and not Newcastle United, gradually erasing our United paves the way for the mancs to be referred solely as United. Similar with their neighbours being referred to simply as City.
I noticed last year one commentator during a TV match referring to Sheffield United as Sheff U and further down the leagues Notts County are now referred to as Notts on BBC.
My conspiracy theory is that when the yanks get control of the requisite number of clubs, they'll force through name changes that prevents multiple clubs using same suffixes, so we'd be Newcastle Magpies, together with Leeds Whites, Sheff U, Wednesday, Palace, Forest, etc.
I very much hope I'm wrong.
Cracking read Michael. My water has never boiled so much in my lifetime after the post match (none) analysis. Cheers.
Yep, keep Tripps for now, he brings more going forward, calms things on the pitch, has a big match mentality, as well as those leadership qualities.
The right vibe Michael, let’s dig up the Spuds! 👊
Well said
I worry about playing the same 11 all the time, sooner or later fatigue will set in or some clever coach will figure us out. We have 3 top class midfielders wanting game time. Got to keep things fresh.
The squad is thin at the moment. I worry that if Isaac is injured, we only have Osuna, and without Schar we only have Kelly. Neither has much PL experience. We surely have enough right wingers and goalies?
Anyway, great piece Michael, happy new year and Howay the Lads!
Enjoyed the article although I have to say that personally I am not aware of anyone who felt that Howes future depended on the outcome of the three games referred to.
Agree that we should retain Trippier until the end of the season.
If we need to sell to buy then perhaps Harvey Barnes is the one to sacrifice.
Great bit of writing Michael and echos my thoughts on the season. Also agree with your UNITED point of view, it must be a 40+ thing😂
We have to keep Trippier as well, at least till the summer (I’d love to see him in a coaching role as well but we’ll see). He is a massive part of that dressing room and still has quality and a lot to offer in terms of his experience.
Thanks for keeping me entertained in 2024 and I very much look forward to reading your ramblings in 2025 👍🏻
Happy new year Michael and keep on keepin’ on, I love your stuff. I picked up the Mirror on whichever day it was, and read about a dark day for United! I could’ve sworn we’d more or less hammered Manchester! I must have been mistaken.
Yes and the touting of Isak by all those pundits who despite their platitudes would hate to see us doing REALLY well, is annoying, predictable and funny all at once. It was Gordon to City yesterday, according to our North-Eastern correspondent who has to appease his South-Eastern bosses at the Mirror. Well Gordon himself pointedly shot down that stuff in an interview last week.
Anyway all the best and I’ll be somewhere in the smoke! Hwtl!
Thank you very much Neil - we're under siege as a region and a football club. No change there then. All the best.