8 reasons to be excited as a Newcastle fan - despite the frustrating wait for signings
It's been a frustrating few months (at times) for Newcastle fans. We missed out on Europe thanks to Man Utd's FA Cup win, there was a chaotic end to June as players were sold to avoid a PSR breach and we're yet to see our summer spending take off over a surprisingly quiet July for the club.
However, there are plenty of reasons to be positive heading into the final six weeks of the transfer window and new 2024/25 Premier League season.
1. Paul Mitchell
Starting off the field, our new sporting director looks a top-quality appointment. Whether it's his impressive mix of Premier League and European experience, his expertise in recruitment or his hugely encouraging first interview released by the club this week, it feels like we're in safe hands.
2. Sandro Tonali
It's an overused phrase at times, but the Italian really will be 'like a new signing' this season. There was huge excitement when we'd signed one of Serie A's top midfielders from AC Milan last summer and he'll be determined to repay the club and fans. A top-class technician who will add quality, fight and a some underrated pace to the right-side of our midfield three.
3. Exciting signings to come
Now the 'PSR deadline' has passed and we're in a new three-year FFP cycle, Newcastle have room to manoeuvre. The two big signings this summer are likely to be a quality right-winger and right-sided centre-back and we can expect things to ramp up on this front over the next few weeks. With Mitchell now in place, money to spend and Eddie Howe's concerns reportedly settled, I'm excited to see who we bring in.
4. Star men going nowhere - and neither is Eddie Howe
When speaking to the local media earlier this week, Darren Eales briefed that he fully expects Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes to still be here when the new season kicks off. Bruno's £100m clause has expired - a huge relief - and there's talk of Isak signing a new improved contract.
As for Howe, it was revealed earlier this week that some much-needed clear-the-air talks took place following our return from a training camp in Germany. Howe is believed to have received assurances over transfers and the new dynamic moving forwards following Mitchell's arrival and Amanda Staveley's exit, allowing us to focus on pre-season, new signings and our preparations for a big 2024/25 season.
5. Squad looking strong again
We ended the 2023/24 campaign with Tino Livramento and Joe Willock sidelined - both are fit again and will benefit from a full pre-season - and we also have Joelinton, Nick Pope and Harvey Barnes back.
When we face Southampton in our opening game at St James' Park next month, it feels like we'll finally have a strong squad and so many options on the bench, with Lloyd Kelly also boosting our defensive cover while Sven Botman recovers from an ACL.
7. Good early fixtures
With no European football to juggle this season, it's a chance to attack the Premier League and cups. Our opening fixtures give us the ideal opportunity to get off to a fast start, with Southampton, Bournemouth, Spurs, Wolves and Fulham to come in our opening five league games. The bookies are backing us too, with Newcastle favourites in all of our first five fixtures before we play Man City on September 28th.
8. St James' Park revamp
It's matters on the pitch that matter most, but we'll have a brilliant addition to matchdays coming soon with the St James' Park STACK almost complete. Positioned behind the Gallowgate Stand, the new fanzone will offer supporters an ideal place to meet, eat and drink in the build-up to kick-off.
It's a huge season for Eddie How and imperative we get back into Europe after missing out last term, but there's plenty to be excited about between now and the big kick-off on August 17th.
