If You Want Loyalty...

With Bruno probably just hours away from being confirmed as an Arsenal player the final part of this summer's top player exodus is hopefully drawing to a close.

How did it end up here?

My take last summer when Isak left and our top targets turned us down...

Was that it sent a message to our top players that Newcastle were not seen as a top team to attract the next level players we needed to genuinely challenge for the title.

As those targets snubbed us for the established 'elite' clubs each rejection banged a nail not just into us fans, but into our top players too.

The euphoria of the cup win and CL qualification and the excitement and expectation of those 'next level' signings was crushed in a few short turbulent weeks.

The Toon balloon had been burst and Eddie, the squad and us fans were deflated.

Make no mistake... the trigger to the exodus was cocked last summer. This summer it has been fired and the barrel emptied of Gordon, Tonali, Bruno... and Eddie Howe.

Isak was a massive blow

Many fans will have had a smirk wider than the Tyne after Isak's injury plagued season at Liverpool. But, the fact is, we lost the one genuine world class player we had.

Isak could turn a game in a second of brilliance - he often did - and the players knew that, Eddie knew that, and if fans didn't realise that before he left, they definitely did after.

The old saying 'you only realise what you've lost until it's gone' applied to Isak.

And, don't underestimate the effect that had on Eddie and the squad.

The strike fiasco was one thing, but far more punishing was not having that explosive pace, skill and finishing power on the pitch. Our cutting edge had been well blunted.

What made it worse was that the £125M we spent on Woltemade and Wissa, bar a short flash of goalscoring form from Big Nick, threw a massive spanner in Eddie's 4-3-3 high press, quick transition, tactics which neither of the two new ST's were suited to.

IMO the slower build up in play that was needed to try and compensate for that weakness also contributed to the 55 PL goals we conceded last season.

The Isak outlet had gone, as had Wilson's hold up play, and we gave the ball away more than a barking dog looking for the next throw.

No wonder 28 points were lost from winning positions.

Add up Isak leaving, the rejections, the crushing of excitement and expectations, the reality check, and the quality of the new signings - and the desire of our top players to jump ship for a five star all inclusive trophy and dosh cruise shouldn't come as a surprise.

Talking of cruises; Eddie Howe could do with one. He looked a tired and beaten man towards the end of last season. And, he could have suffered even more this season.

They played their part...

Isak, Gordon, Tonali and Bruno all played their part in the greatest day NUFC fans witnessed in 70 years - winning the Carabou Cup at Wembley.

And let's not forget Captain Fantastic Trippier, an inspirational first signing under PIF and a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room. His like will be greatly missed.

All five of those players - and the whole squad - knew how important that cup win was for us fans, and what a huge legacy they had created for themselves in being part of that winning team.

But, I think those that have gone are thinking they've done their bit, repaid their fees, and that they now need to challenge for the real top honours in the game.

And, of course, be paid what they believe they are worth which NUFC couldn't do.

I understand the feelings of fans who are giving them pelters but, Isak apart, Gordon, Tonali and Bruno IMO have nothing to apologise for.

99% of us in the same position would have decided that the right personal decision was to move on. They'd created history at NUFC, but the next chapter was a stretch too far.

It's a cliche; but it is a short career and the top players want to end it with a cabinet full of the top trophies to prove to themselves and their descendants that they were not just big money earners... but winners too.

YOU look after No.1...

So you can't really blame players for doing exactly the same.

If you want loyalty, buy a dog.

And call him Toon.

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