Newcastle United optimism? Five and a half things that have given me plenty…
Just the 13 days until Newcastle United are back in competitive action.
This summer has been a strange one.
One of those where it feels like it has both flown over and dragged on forever, in equal measures.
The Euros in Germany certainly helped to an extent, the Copa America as well. Having significant (by Mike Ashley era standards) Newcastle United representation a huge bonus.
However, all we are interested in really, is Newcastle United, as always.
Like the rest of you, I have read and heard countless comments and debates ever since last season ended, a fair bit of it negative.
The signings Newcastle United have made, the signings Newcastle United haven’t made, the injuries, the availability of players, the new strips, whatever.
A lot of positivity as well of course from the majority and here are five and a half reasons for major positivity sparked by what I have seen these last couple of weeks:
Nick Pope
I still laugh when I think of those Newcastle fans who thought at one point he should have been replaced because he is not great with the ball at his feet.
He is outstanding and we are very lucky to have him, I wouldn’t swap him for any other PL keeper and seeing him in these friendlies has been a timely reminder. Some stunning saves and of course his willingness to be brave and sweep behind the defence.
In 2022/23 no Premier League team/goalkeeper conceded fewer PL goals than Nick Pope.
In 2023/24, Nick Pope conceded 16 goals in the 15 PL matches he started, Newcastle conceded 46 goals in the 25 PL games he didn’t start.
Even with the other numerous injuries, if Nick Pope (pictured below saving the penalty against Urawa Red Diamonds) had played the whole season I am sure Newcastle would have finished top four again.
Lewis Hall
What a player.
He is a very good defender but is an outstanding footballer, just watch him.
He will be an England regular for sure and Eddie Howe doing a superb job letting somebody who arrived at St James’ Park as an 18-year-old have the time to integrate and get settled, before giving him an extended run last season. This despite some clueless fans calling out Eddie Howe for not playing him earlier. I think I know whose judgement I trust.
Playing at both left-back and in central midfield, Hall has looked the business in the friendlies.
Alexander Isak
A bit like Pope in the goalkeeping situation, I wouldn’t swap our striker from Sweden for anybody else either.
He has looked really sharp and scored in all of the first three friendlies, then even in Saturday’s defeat he was a huge threat and caused Yokohama big problems with his pace, movement and skill.
Lloyd Kelly
This is the half in my five and a half, due to the fact I have only seen him in half a match so far, playing for Newcastle.
Two things stood out for me when I watch him play the opening 45 minutes on Saturday.
He hit a superb long pass over the top of the Yokohama defence right into the path of Isak getting in behind, plus he looked comfortable generally on the ball and defensively. All of which Eddie Howe knew about as he paid £13m for Kelly as a 20-year-old from the Championship five years ago, when signing for Bournemouth.
The other thing is that I couldn’t believe how big he was, he looked huge in that back four yesterday.
For some reason I think I thought he had the build of a Jamal Lewis, very slight and not small but not tall.
However, he looked a real unit, a bit like Sven Botman I would say. Checking up online, apparently he is 6ft 3.
I was very impressed by what I saw, even if only 45 minutes so far.
Jacob Murphy
No disrespect to Jacob Murphy but I still think we need a new quality option on the right and almost certainly we will get one.
However, Murphy has been excellent in pre-season and looks to have gone up another level again, maybe more consistency especially.
I know competitive matches will be tougher but I thought last season he improved and kept Almiron out of the team late on. I am seeing Murphy as a very capable backup to a new signing with Almiron likely to move on.
Four goals in four friendlies has been the icing on the cake for Murphy, plus he is using (and scoring with!) both feet a lot more
Fans in Japan
I don’t know what I expected but it certainly wasn’t this.
I have been blown away by the Newcastle United fans in Japan. Fair play to those who have travelled from the UK but here I am talking about our NUFC host fans in Japan.
Maybe those in Japan who support other Premier League clubs are just as passionate BUT one thing I know for sure, they won’t be more passionate than our Newcastle fanbase out there.
For once social media a force for good, as it showed us so many clips and examples of how much knowledge they have about NUFC, knowing all the songs, belting them out with passion. Their interaction with the likes of Wor Flags and the fundraising they had done themselves in advance of Newcastle United visiting Japan, I think I heard 60 flags they produced with the cash raised AND what a show they helped put on at the matches.
I find it bizarre why anybody who is lucky enough to be Tyneside born would see the likes of these Newcastle fans in Japan (and elsewhere) as not ‘proper’ fans. When you heard so many of their personal stories, clearly the vast majority have supported NUFC for a number of years. Whilst even those who might have only been drawn to our club since Ashley went, well, if you were going to be gloryhunting I think fair to say Newcastle would still be a canny way down the list if that was purely the case!
The week just got even better for Wassy as @worflags gifted him one of their flags after our final game of Japan 2024. 🥹#NUFC 🤝 @nufcjapan https://t.co/AJiBoKQ3Wz pic.twitter.com/yZkjRFrUsC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 3, 2024
As somebody once said to me on this topic of who are ‘proper’ fans, it isn’t when you start supporting your club that counts, it is when/if you stop. Can you imagine living in Japan and be bothered enough during the Ashley years to keep supporting a club that offered nothing in return???
