Time is ticking down to our first match of the new year. On Sunday, Tottenham come to a sold-out St. James’ Park which should be absolutely rocking. This is a match that will have all eyes on it despite Newcastle’s poor results this season.
It’s still unknown whether it’ll be Steve Bruce, Graeme Jones, or someone else on the touchline. The prevailing wisdom is that assistant coach Graeme Jones will have been appointed caretaker manager by then. But who knows at this point.
The dreadful start to this campaign has Newcastle kicking the new era off in a bit of a hole. Three points would be the perfect start to life under our new owners.
Injuries, once again, have wreaked havoc on the squad. The irreplaceable Callum Wilson has missed the last four matches but did return to training this week. Whether Sunday is too soon for our reigning Player of the Season is uncertain at this point.
The same can be said for Martin Dubravka, who hasn’t missed the entire season so far. The 32-year-old is back in training and should be getting close to battling Karl Darlow for the number one gloves.
Jonjo Shelvey is also back in training after missing the last six matches with a calf injury. The playmaker got a run-out with the U23s on Monday. After the match, he revealed he’s had multiple setbacks since the onset of the injury.
Shelvey is itching to play a part in Sunday’s match. He was the first Magpie to be interviewed after the takeover was announced last Thursday and expressed his delight that it finally happened.
The 29-year-old has now given another interview in which he exclusively talks about the takeover. The Mail has published the following comments from our vice-captain:
“Those scenes outside the stadium were incredible. I was going to have a drive down, I wanted to get out there with a beer myself!
“That reaction at the stadium is unique. The fans have suffered a lot in the past, so I think what we saw was a release of frustration and relief that the deal had finally happened.
“Credit to the fans, too, because they have helped push this deal through. It gives us all so much to look forward to.
“I went to watch Newcastle Blue Star on Friday night, my mate plays in goal. There were about 1,000 fans there, fully-grown men wearing Arab clothes, I couldn’t believe it.
“I got off at half-time because I couldn’t really watch the game in the end, but it was mad. They were so happy.”
Shelvey was touched by the reaction from the fans. In January, Shelvey will have been at Newcastle for six years. He arrived during our relegation season and has stuck with the club signing a new deal in March 2020.
The midfielder has also been impressed by the new owners of the club. Shelvey was asked about Amanda Staveley’s initial interviews when she spoke about Premier League titles and the return of Champions League football for Newcastle. This was Shelvey’s response:
“I probably won’t be around when that does happen!. I know how long that could take.
“But to hear someone come in and say that, as a footballer, it makes you want to stay and fight for a place to be a part of it, those aspirations and goals.
“I’ve got 18 months left on my contract, so it comes down to me to show the people in charge what I’m about. I have to look after number one, it’s my career.
“So it is nerve-racking, but I’m a positive person and I’ll try to grasp the opportunity with both hands. There is excitement and nerves, I suppose.”
Staveley stressed patience in her interviews. So it will take time for the new owners to rebuild Newcastle into a top Premier League club. Shelvey likely won’t be around when that happens. However, he can play a part in the interim and help get Newcastle up the table this season.
Shelvey also spoke about the sub-par training ground, which Stavely dubbed ‘truly awful’, and the facilities. He revealed that it has affected the players to some degree but they’ve just soldiered on:
“This is unbelievable for the club. The fans have been asking for this for a very long time. It’s great news for them.
“I understand what the fans want – they want Mbappe and Messi. All I can say is, that won’t come overnight, we have to be realistic.
“In terms of the set-up, we all know the training-ground facilities are below par when it comes to Premier League standard. As players, we’ve got on with it and we’ve had to deal with that to the best of our ability. The money just hasn’t been there. That was hard to accept.
“But the money will be there now. I understand you can’t go spending so much straight away, and it will be a long process, but it’s one that this club and the fans deserve.
“This club can achieve anything it wants now, the sky is the limit.”
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79 comments so far
Ruddy Marveaux-lous
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:40 AM
Comment #1REPOST:
It would be an opportunity missed if Bruce is still in dugout on Sunday, but one thing is for sure is that if he is, it will not be because the new owners are sentimentally letting him rack up 1000 games before sacking him – these are business people who don’t give a stuff about Bruce’s ego.
Things are happening behind the scenes on the managerial front, investment in the academy, training ground as well as the playing staff. Relationships with the NUST, NUFC Foodbank et al are being forged so that there’s a greater connection between club and the community, which is all great stuff.
Sunday’s scenes will be epic, regardless of Bruce in the dugout, and largely regardless of the result.
We’ve waited 14 years for this folks, so patience may be in short supply for many of us. Stop and smell the roses, enjoy the ride, we’re a football club again. That’s worth smiling about.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:41 AM
Comment #2Shelvey in another interview also mentioned about the training facilities being poor but just said the players accepted it and got on with it
Just shows you how bad it was and Charnley had the cheek to say that they were fine so glad these clowns will be gone soon!!
Solano slice
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Comment #3Munster
What’s the story horse. I trust you have put away a few creamy pints to celebrate.
I’m coming home early for Xmas this year should be around the 8/9th of December.
Would love to catch up for few scoops with a few fellow bloggers one of the days.
Ledge, Munster, magic any of the Irish or indeed anyone off the blog is intrested in picking a day and meeting up for a match and having a few scoops over the festive period some stage.
I know it’s a bit far off n all and festive period is always busy for most, just a thought for those that can’t get to Newcastle to celebrate.
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:45 AM
Comment #4Reading about Brian Marwood is very exciting. The hands on involvement he had with transforming City was huge and would be an excellent acquisition.
Here is a bit more on the meeting
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10085447/amp/Newcastles-305m-takeover-slammed-rivals-snub-Toon-attending-Premier-League-meeting.html?__twitter_impression=true
I like the part were some of the smaller clubs thought it was humorous that the bigger clubs had the hypocrisy to complain when they tried to leave the bloody league.
Get the foot over it! There is a big one in town now
TheTinman
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:50 AM
Comment #5I have to say those are some fantastic words from Jonjo. He is open and honest here. Good on him.
Jamesthefirst
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:50 AM
Comment #6According to reports today, Ralf Rangnick has turned the DOF position down because he wants to be our Manager instead.
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Comment #7I didn’t think about this but it surely will be a loss for Man U.
Man U was one of the main supported teams in Saudi and they will lose everyone of them no doubt and this will hit them hard with merchandise sales.
These so called top clubs run there clubs on a shoe string with needing to qualify in the top 4 and champions league football for the financial gain. They are shit scared now that in a few years that just got more difficult.
TheTinman
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Comment #8Mund, agree. Marwood would be a superb addition and probably one of the only people available who has experience of what is about to come. He can learn from his mistakes and do an even better job with us, his masterpiece before retirement 🙂
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:55 AM
Comment #9@Jamesthefirst
I say get him in!! Him as a coach would also be unreal and he could then assess the players every day on the training ground
This would possibly make it even easier for a Sporting Director to come on board with him
Jamesthefirst
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:56 AM
Comment #10People need to remember as much as we love and respect Amanda, she is only 10%. She does not have final say on anything. PIF do.
PIF not wanting to pull the plug on Bruce is business sense. They need a DOF and replacement in place, before they can let him go. The running of a business the size of NUFC now, needs to be seamless.
They haven’t even been in charge for a week yet. Give them time. They know he needs to go. But it needs to be when they can make the transition to a new manager the next day.
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:56 AM
Comment #11Tinman
Would be fantastic wouldn’t it. I think come January we will have a lot of different people in place in and around the club and it’s so exciting knowing we will have proper football people at the club and not just football people but we are being linked to some of the top names around in helping to build this wonderful football club back to the top.
Trying not to be impatient 😆 but I just want something to happen ie Bruce gone, a DOF and then a new manager.
coming home
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:58 AM
Comment #12Rangnick from 66/1 now at 18/1 for manager
Could be worth a few quid
geordietom
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:58 AM
Comment #13https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2021/10/13/new-owners-hand-interviews-to-two-candidates-battling-for-job-at-newcastle-united-report/
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 10:59 AM
Comment #14Everything we have ever dreamed about with this club will happen in time.
All dreams are possible realities
I look forward to hearing the short term plans and I’m excited to get some quality players through the door come January
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Comment #15Bill’s son is back,
From previous. That’s not very nice of you indeed and hardly in keeping with the blogs new found harmony 😕
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:04 AM
Comment #16I think the plans they have for the port of Tyne and the wind farm industry in the region are an unbelievable added bonus to the whole thing. They might even make NCL their primary airport for their expanding airline.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:06 AM
Comment #17Two assists for Schar last night and Fraser spent 83 minutes playing RWB?
coming home
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:07 AM
Comment #18Rangnick now 12/1 someone putting money on him
TheTinman
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:07 AM
Comment #19Mund, come February we should be looking at something totally different. New backroom staff, new manager, new coaches, new DOF and some new players.
I can wait for all those things. Appointments need to take time and be carefully considered.
However one thing I’m losing patience with is clearing out the rot. I see absolutely no reason to keep Bruce and my mind won’t be changed on that.
It is a minor frustration in the grand scheme of things but one I can’t wrap my head around.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:08 AM
Comment #20@Raj
Fraser was pretty terrible in the wingback role especially in the first half
He put in a few tasty crosses but aw man was terrible
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:08 AM
Comment #21The Bard
Brilliant poem on previous.
(These days get even crazier with me now being so complementary towards yourself 😆 )
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:10 AM
Comment #22Billy Gilmour though feel he would be a player that we could target some of his passing is amazing like a younger, faster version of Shelvey
Wish we had got him on loan rather than Norwich
JP...from The Rock
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:10 AM
Comment #23Shelvey should be one of the first ones out the door.
DubaiMicky
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:11 AM
Comment #24When the report comes out end of this week or early next about stopping betting logos on shirts, that’ll be a great time to discuss ending our sponsorship deal and get Aramco on our shirts for a few years, and put £200m into our bank account of course.
Bambams
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:12 AM
Comment #25JP from the Rock
Totally agree mate, I know he splits opinion but I just do not rate Shelvey.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:12 AM
Comment #26@Dubai
Will be hilarious once we announce our shirt sponsor the other teams will be raging
TheTinman
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:13 AM
Comment #27Shelvey out the door if a good offer comes in maybe, otherwise he is decent back up who only has 18months on his contract. Easy to just let that run out. Makes business sense to keep him around through the transition if you ask me.
Raj of Hailsley
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:13 AM
Comment #28DMicky,
What makes you think it will be Aramaco and not Saudia?
Romford mag
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Comment #29Saudi airlines ?
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Comment #30Tinman
Same I’m very relaxed and patient with the process of who to bring in as DOF etc but like you it does irritate me that Bruce hasn’t been shown the door yet but I am kinda relaxed to an extent with that as I know the future is bright.
I read a comment on Twitter and it mentioned maybe Bruce will get his 1000th game vs Spurs and then retire from football management and allowing him to finish with his boyhood club (apparently) and see them into a new era. Could be?
Short term he might be here but long term we can dream of bigger things.
Romford mag
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Comment #31Disney + ?
Bambams
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:14 AM
Comment #32DubaiMicky
That’s unless the Greedy6 try to stop it !
It’s amazing what a mere 7 days does to your club, this time last week the rumours were growing!
We are now talking about a potential huge new sponsor, removing Bruce, 70,000 seater stadium and Greggs based inside the ground.
🙂
JP...from The Rock
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:16 AM
Comment #33Please don’t get Henrique, if he regards Andre Villas-Boas a very good manager it doesn’t impress me one bit. I don’t rate Villas-Boas at all and neither do Spurs fans.
TheTinman
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:16 AM
Comment #34Mund, I think that’s just people making up stories. If the £7/8m compensation figures are correct Bruce will not leave by his own accord. He will need booted
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Comment #35Tinman
Aye that does sound more like the truth.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Comment #36Its no wonder Bruce became such a patsy for Ashley when you see the figures being banded about for him getting sacked
For that kind of money he could have hired some of the best managers in the business but chose Bruce…..
Romford mag
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:19 AM
Comment #37Frog mad rom ?
Jamesthefirst
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:24 AM
Comment #38Amanda “Steve, what are you still doing here? I sacked you last Friday”
Steve “Listen pet, unfortunately I have received no other offers. So I am staying. I will keep us ticking along”
Amanda “I don’t want to tick along. I want to win things.”
Bruce “Then you should’ve bought Manchester Utd. Wonderful club. My club.”
Amanda “I need you gone before the Spurs game”
Bruce “You don’t pay my wages. The Premier League do. Dicky wants me to relegate the club. He knows I’m the right man for that.”
cleveleysbob
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:25 AM
Comment #39Bruce in training ground? – 3 days in a row, has that ever happened before?
Mund
Oct 13, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Comment #40Bob 😆 I don’t think it has mate