The Week For Newcastle United 4

I never really enjoy an international break, and although this one came at a good time for the 1^st team, saw the end of the Transfer window and saw a winning start to the season for the lasses I am still very happy that the premier League is back this weekend.

If you could hand pick a fixture to start this run of games Wolves at home would be high on the choices. There is no such thing as “gimme” premier league game but with the Transfer circus done until January, I expect the atmosphere will be a positive one.

With injuries coming out of the international break and suspension for Gordon there will be rotation within the squad this week. I think this game could be the time to test Thaiw in the premier League and of course Waltemade as well as some valuable game time for Lewis Hall. I am confident we will beat Wolves on Saturday, and my prediction would be a 3-0 win.

We follow that with the storybook start to our champions League campaign as Barcelona are the visitors on Thursday night. I do think it is a perfect game for us to start our campaign with as regardless of what the result is on the day there is positives we would be able to take from it. Even if we get beat, we can say we don’t play another pot 1 team now until late January so I will very much have my glass half full hat on for that game but hopefully the result will be a positive one and can mirror what will be an incredible atmosphere on the night.

(My Champions League Preview article is pinned at the bottom if anyone would like to read that. It was written a few days after the draw)

More Words our New CEO.

Our new CEO released some kind words yesterday after his arrival at St James Park this week.

“As I settle into my new role, I wanted to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome I have received.

Since arriving last week, I have had so many conversations with people inside and outside the club. I’ve gained invaluable insights, and I’m looking forward to connecting and engaging with more of you in the weeks and months to come.

I’m also looking forward to getting out into the community in the coming weeks to meet more of you and understand what makes this region so special.

My first impression is this is one united family, on and off the pitch. It is the people who make this football club so special and it is a privilege for me and my family to now be a part of it.

I’m also truly excited about the future that lies ahead of us. My aim is to build on the tremendous work that preceded me with a renewed sense of alignment for everyone, helping us to grow and win together.

While I have seen, heard and felt your pride and passion at close hand in recent days, I strongly suspect it will be nothing compared to what I will experience at St. James’ Park in the coming days.

I can’t wait to be with you for my first game as CEO on Saturday and to be alongside you for the phenomenal journey ahead of us. The best is yet to come.

David”

That seemed a very heartfelt message and the mention of “growing and winning together” is something that I hope is visible over the coming months. It will be a busy period on the pitch which will be the full focus of most fans but now that the transfer window and all the chaos that came with it is out of the way my hope is that there will be further communication about the stadium and other aspects of off the field matters. Ticketing could be more in focus after several season tickets or memberships were cancelled for unauthorised selling.

I do try to keep calm with ticketing frustrations (Now 0-15) because I know how well our club is supported but as we continue to grow and achieve on and off the pitch getting to see our team is become harder either through accessibility or cost and that is one of the very few negatives of footballing growth. I’m nothing if an optimist and sure the stars will align, and I can get to a men’s game that fits in well with the Lasses or of the Champions League on my Birthday week.

The Lasses Start the Season with a Win

The lasses started the league campaign with a win away against Newly promoted Nottingham Forest.

The 1^st half we were brilliant. We controlled the pattern of the game, scored two good goals and looked impressive and good value for our 2-0 half time lead. In the second half Nottingham Forest gave us a much sterner test and displayed the quality that shouldn’t see them having to deal with any relegation issues for too long in the second tier.

It was a great performance from the lasses as a team and there were a few standouts as individuals for me as well. Beth Lumsden playing in the wing back role may not have had her best game but if that’s the way we play, she may be adjusting to the versality. It must be said the assist for Murphy’s goal was quality, and she had a free kick that went on target as well. On the Subject of assist’s Shania Hayles composure for her assist was good as well putting it on a plate for Molly Pike. Morgan Gautrat was solid in midfield and our back three (Mannion, Wardlow, Cooper) were outstanding especially in the 1^st half.

Charlotte Wardlaw was one of (If not the) player of the match for me. She showed composure through out the game with her passing and vision, got virtually every tackle right and even with a few moments of worry from their winger I felt her positioning was excellent as well. There is a lot of healthy competition in those Centre back positions with the arrival of Gosia and Mannion and a fan favourite for many in Charlotte Potts on the comeback trail but based on the tail end of last season and what I saw on Sunday, Cooper and Wardlaw have continued their strong partnership at the back and have those positions nailed down in the league at the moment.

OONA!!!

Oona Sevenius came off the bench and impressed again and it will be very interesting to see what happens when the Finnish international gets her first start. The scenes after the game were brilliant as the fans serenaded her with her own chant which she visibly enjoyed as did many of the players who got the same treatment.

Our fans who follow the women’s team home and away are incredible and I do hope and believe that is going to give us an extra edge in this potentially monumental season. I remember how nervous I was when I was heading to Bromley last season for our 1st away game and not knowing anyone at all, but fast forward a year and I felt comfortable being around the regulars, and brilliant people. Being part of the NUW community is something I am proud and grateful for and I am counting down until I set off from Cirencester tomorrow evening (Hopefully) for our first game at Gateshead.

We play Sheffield United who were on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat in their 1^st game so hopefully this is a good opportunity to pick up another 3 points before we head to arguably the toughest away day at Birmingham.

Following the last week for Newcastle United article I put out the lasses had one more signing to be announced in Finnish international Anna Tamminen. In my opinion the situation now with our Goalkeepers has an intriguing dynamic and looks very similar to the men’s 1^st team.

The lasses under 21s unfortunately suffered another heavy defeat losing to 7-0 to Durham. This is our 1^st season as an academy and hopefully things can improve as we adapt to the league. As you will see from the fixtures below there could be the perfect match to get our 1^st win on the board.

Internationals

We had many players out on international duty for all ages including Wissa scoring 2 goals while away but unfortunately picking up a knock. All of the players listed below appeared for their country at some point during the break and there are two videos on NFTV that will give a great and detailed account of how the break went for all of our well-travelled squad.

Bruno Guimaraes (Brazil):Yoane Wissa (DR Congo):Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento (England):Sandro Tonali (Italy): Anthony Elanga, Emil Krafth (Sweden):Nick Woltemade (Germany):Alex Murphy (Ireland U21s):Sam Alabi, Roman Dowell, George Mair (England U17s):Oliver Goodbrand (Scotland U17s):Leo Shahar (England U19s):Lewis Miley (England U21s):Rory Finneran (Ireland U17s):

It will be a busy week for all of Newcastle United on the pitch and Hopefully when it comes round to my next article the positivity will be flowing, we will have our 1^st League win in the Premier League, The lasses followed on from Forest successfully, The champions League started with a bang and who knows maybe a win over Sunderland in there as well.

HOWAY THE LADS AND LASSES.

Fixtures

1^st Team

Saturday 13^th September Newcastle United Vs Wolves Premier League

Thursday 18^th September Newcastle United Vs Barcelona Champions League

Women’s Team

Sunday 14^th September Newcastle United Vs Sheff United WSL 2

Academy

Saturday 13^th September Newcastle United Under 18s Away to Liverpool Premier League Under 18s

Thursday 18^th September Newcastle United under 19s Vs Barcelona Under 18s UFEA Youth League

Wednesday 17^th September Newcastle United Women’s Under 21s away to Sunderland