Fixture Release Day for the Lasses

The 25/26 fixtures will be released today for the Lasses and Newcastle United Women will be looking for a historic season as potentially 3 teams from the WSL 2 will be playing in the 1^st 14 team WSL during the 2026/27 Season

The Lasses have made some quality additions. Molly Pike and Jemmy Purfield have arrived from Southampton, Jordon Nobbs is a high profile signing and brings a wealth of experience to us next season and Aofie Mannion is a significant signing with plenty of WSL experience herself coming from Manchester United to bolster our defensive options. There are still plenty of new signings to come, which will add even more pressure on the 1^st half of the season, as well as navigating the inevitable comparisons between our new signings and the ones that have left. There is still well over a month before the start of the season and plenty of time for new signings for all of the clubs as well as other announcements related to the Lasses.

Durham did the double over us last season and everyone on and off the pitch will be looking to put that right. Both of the games stung for different reasons. The home game saw us lose to a late smash and grab and the away game was a solid win for Durham on Cup Final day for the men, with some antics off the field also marring the day. In many eyes this game will be the Amber derby.

Sunderland of course will be highlight fixture for most. Both games will presumably be played at the respective club’s main stadiums and with the chance that something more than pride will be riding on the game. We smashed the Championship record with over 38500 fans packing in for our game against the Mackem’s in March, Will that record go again?

Birmingham City will be comfortably one of the favourites for Promotion next season. They missed out on the final day of the season against LCL but that could be a blessing in disguise for us as we look to secure one of those promotion spots. Our game at St Andrews last season was memorable as we secured an impressive away win despite being under pressure most of the game. Then in the return game at KP we got a good draw against them as well so if we are in a title battle with them, we know we are more than capable of getting the results.

For me Bristol City handed us one of only two ultra negative days in the league last season when they beat us at Ashton gate. We never looked in the game that day but was able to put it right in the return game winning 3-2. It will be my easiest away day by some distance so hopefully we can but in a positive showing against another side I expect to be in the Promotion conversation.

Charlton are a team I am a bit unsure of as far as league predictions go until I start to look at them in more detail. On the pitch last season, it was that infamous 3-3 draw that stuck in the mind all season and then at the Valley it was a Goalkeeping performance from Sophie Whitehouse that saw her win save of the season in the League.

Any fixture against Southampton is always one that means a lot to me for men’s and women’s fixtures. I think last year’s game at St Mary’s was a lot of people’s favourite away day and I’m sure will be one that people will be looking out for again. Molly Pike impressed when she played us last season and hopefully can impress again in this fixture in the Black and white.

Portsmouth did incredibly well to survive from relegation last season, especially when you consider they didn’t win a league game until March! We got 6 points against Portsmouth last season and will expect to do the same again, but as travel and timing comes into it we can’t take anything for granted. Portsmouth Away was the only Away league day I missed last season so hoping to put that right from a personal point of view.

Sheffield United got a reprieve from relegation, benefiting from the awful situation for Blackburn women. Our games against them last season were very basic. A solid 2-0 in our 1^st home game in the 2^nd Tier in a great atmosphere at KP and then a disappointing draw at Bramall Lane, although the late equaliser did feel like a win. I expect the Blades to be near the bottom of the league again so like Portsmouth we will need to take 6 points of them if we expect to be challenging for the top 3.

Nottingham Forest have been very busy themselves with a lengthy release list like ours. How they fair in the 2^nd tier remains to be seen but I think both fixtures will be good occasions for the fans, and the away fixture is one I am Particularly looking forward to.

Ipswich Town will always be the Sir Bobby Robson Derby for Newcastle fans. If we get a chance to play at Portman Road that would be Brilliant. I imagine it’s going to be a popular game for Causey and the coach travel for sure if the game is played there.

Crystal Palace were relegated from the WSL last season, and you would think that would put them in the promotion conversation but not for me. We played Palace in the Cup last season and were comfortably beaten but I am confident we can put that right in the coming season especially at home.

That is my very basic opinions and thoughts on the teams that we will come up against next season. Towards the end of August will be writing a lot more in detail article about the season to come for the lasses.

Happy Fixture Release Day!!

Howay the Lasses!