The Week for Newcastle United 16

Last night’s defeat to Manchester City was a case of what could have been but also that we were beaten by a fresher and better team on the day.

We had our chances, Wissa had an opportunity, followed quicky by Bruno hitting the woodwork just before Man City’s goal which could have put a completely different spin on the game. Woltemade had a massive chance to score from a Harvey Barnes cross just needed to time his jump a bit better. Small margins throughout the game and the fact Man City were more clinical on the day ultimately resulted in 1st leg defeat.

Man City were unlucky not to be awarded a second following a very contentious offside decision but the second goal for them deep into stoppage time makes the result feel worse because 1 goal deficit the hope would be there, an early goal injuries for city in the 3 weeks prior, momentum, form etc but the second goal turns that on its head and if City score 1^st then could be a long deflating night down in Manchester.

We must forget about this for a while (Easier said than done when it’s our trophy that we could be on the verge of losing.) but there are 5 games before the return leg. Thought’s turn to the premier league on Sunday and yes we are playing a poor Wolves side but we have to turn up and do a professional job because if we don't then Wolves slight up turn in performances and the fact we are away at Molineux could result in some bad news come Sunday afternoon.  

Following our heart testing penalty win to make it through against Bournemouth we were rewarded with another Premier League side in the 4^th round as we travel to Birmingham to play Aston Villa. As you probably know, if you have been reading my articles through the season, I’m notorious for looking at Fixture lists and with another away game thrown in the mix for February it adds the possibility of an 8 game February and in a perfect scenario a 6 game Match before an international break.

This season has been chaotic and were still navigating 4 competitions, Injuries, Players in and out of form and a Transfer window.

February	March
2x Man City both away (League Cup and Premier League) 2x Champions League Play Off Villa Away Fa cup Brentford and Everton at Home Spurs Away	Man Utd Home Sunderland Home or a League Cup Final Fa Cup 5th Round Chelsea away 2xChampions League Last 16 games

The league is very tight currently so this may not be the case when we get to certain games, but our next 10 league fixtures see us play 7 of the current top 10, on top of the other competitions.

FA Cup weekend for the lasses

Our massive promotion clash with Birmingham fell foul to the weather this past week giving us all an unwanted extension to the winter break. That now leaves our FA Cup tie with WSL side West Ham United as the big kick off for 2026.

West Ham are struggling in the WSL sitting 2nd bottom with the worst Goal difference.

Of course, they are a WSL side and must be respected but not feared. They have the worst defensive record in the WSL and only Liverpool and Leicester have scored less than them in the league. As I have mentioned in previous articles, this game could potentially be a preview of a play-off game at the end of the season. Liverpool currently props up the league with no wins to their name but in my opinion and the way the league currently looks it is a straight 50/50 between Liverpool and West Ham for who could be in that play off come May.

Night-time atmosphere’s always feel different and often in a good way, so I am looking forward to being back at the GIS on Friday. I am hoping there will be a good attendance especially considering the men’s 1^st team are away this weekend and do not play until Sunday.

Jordan Nobbs form through December was a significant factor and the Tanya Oxtoby era currently standing at 100%. That form was recognised and as she picked up not only the WSL2 Player of the month awards but also the WSL2 Fans player of the month award. It’s a shame a certain shark related tune wasn’t chanted buy the squad as she was given her award but sure will be hearing that a few times on Friday.

Newcastle United Women under 21s play today at home to Southampton Under 21s in the PGA League Under 21s division 2.

The academy

New year more of the same for the under 21s as we were beaten by Middlesbrough in the first of our 2 derbies a week week, this was followed by Adam Lawrence quitting the club after less than five full months in charge. With our PSR restrictions and seeing what other academies across the premier league have been able to do it is a very frustrating part of the club that we cannot seem to get a handle on.

With the “small” matter of a Sunderland game coming up this Friday something significantly needs to change with the U21s and the first step to that would be some stability with a manager being appointed with a long-term vision in mind.

The academy isn’t a complete sorry story. The U18s are still improving their league positions and point tally each year.

2022/23	Finished 12th on 24 points
2023/24	Finished 8th on 32 points
2024/25	Finished 5th on 35 points
*2025/26	Currently 3rd on 25 points after 12 games

So, what is the problem with the academy?

·       Is it a case of not having the right backroom team in place, both for on the pitch and youth Recruitment off it. (Scouting etc)

·       Is there not enough quality amongst our ranks to break through like Lewis Miley has.

·       Does the U21 fixture Calendar benefit or hinder the players in that squad.

·       Should our Loan department be scrutinised a lot more (Could be an article for me or a video for someone else one day)

·       Or could it be that so many aspects of the club were broken and dismantled by the previous regime that the new owners in some aspects of the club have had to re-build from the ground up that the under 21s might take that little more patience.

I’m trying to lean on the positive side of things and look at the U18s as a guide. They are improving each year in that age group so can only hope that the right thing’s happen at the right management levels to translate that next stage of our academy’s evolution to the U21s.

Cup day for North Shields

The Lasses are not the only ones who are in cup action this weekend for NFTV highlighted teams. North Shields travel to Lancashire side Chadderton. North Shields have history in the FA Vase as they lifted the trophy in 2015 when they beat Glossop North end 2-1 after extra time.

I only have stats and the power of google to go on but as of 13/01/26 both sides sit in 7^th in their league but the worry for North Shields could be the number of goals that Chadderton score.

The joy of cup games is anything can happen, (Just ask Macclesfield) so good luck to North Shields at the weekend and hopefully for them the dream of Wembley can carry on.

Ryton and Crawcrook Albion have had a tough week of fixtures as well last night they played 2^nd place Seaham Red Star. You wouldn’t think it was tough though as Ryton walked away with a 5-1 win. They next play 4^th place Park View and a win there may bring thoughts of the play offs back to fruition.

And finally, for the Nothing to do with Northern football section of the non-league round up. Cirencester Town are sitting in the play offs of the Hellenic Premier League with Ciren’s Harlie Price as top scorer in the league with 28 goals in 27 appearances. I was at the Corinium stadium in August to see a 4-2 defeat to Fairford which continued a winless run in the first 5 games of the season so glad Ciren have turned it around and really hope can push and consolidate our place in the play offs.  

Lewis Miley won League Cup Player of the Round for the QF

Results 9^th January-13^th January

Premier League 2 Newcastle Under 21s 0 Middlesbrough under 21s 1

FA Cup Newcastle United 3 Bournemouth 3 AET Newcastle Win 7-6 on Penalties

Premier League International cup Newcastle Under 21s 0 Benfica B 5

League Cup Semi Final 1^st Leg Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 2

Fixtures 14^th January-20^th January

Wednesday 14^th January- Newcastle United Women Under 21s Vs Southampton Women Under 21s – PGA League Under 21 Division 2

Friday 16^TH January- Sunderland Under 21s Vs Newcastle United Under 21s- Premier League 2

Friday 16^th January- Newcastle United Women Vs West Ham united Women FA Cup

Saturday 17^th January Newcastle united Under 18s Vs Liverpool Under 18s - Premier League Under 18s

Sunday 18^th January- Charlton Athletic Women Under 21s Vs Newcastle United Women Under 21s- PGA League under 21s Division 2

Sunday 18^th January Wolves Vs Newcastle United Premier League

Tables

Back to Premier League action this weekend against Wolves looking to keep European Qualification aspirations on Track

Newcastle Under 21s with some work to do if they are to Reach the Play off stage of Premier League 2