10 Games in ? State of the Union ? Dust settled ramble

[Ragatino]

Gents, ladies, assorted miscreants it?s that time of year again where I find myself sat awaiting a delayed flight, with time on my hands & a whole lot of nonsense to get out of my heed.

1. Now the dust has settled on the Summer
One thing I have learned from folks close to PiF in Saudi is that Liverpool agreed to pay the 16m quid in fees and bonuses to get the lad out of Newcastle, on top of the 130m transfer fee. NUFC earned 146m for that transfer. Looking like the best business of the century!
Not to go over the details of the transfer window fiasco once again. However, the whole situation just goes to show that the system is not fit for purpose.
The whole media machine went after us and the levels of corruption in the system between agents, media hacks & club officials needs to be investigated and cleaned up for the good of the game.
This is a lesson for the club and more importantly, the fan base. The fans need to become far thicker skinned when it comes to the noise around the top players we have.
After 10 games, all the talk that the binmen would become invincible with the addition of our departed striker has fallen flat.
The reality v hype once again rings out like a church bell.
Hubris indeed.

2. Squad v first team
It?s clear that the club have recruited well. All the new lads have brought in a level of quality that has lifted the overall squad quality. However, thus far the performances due to lack of training time (playing 2 games a week) is apparent. Form is patchy in the League. Great guns in the Carabao, doing well in the Champions League. That West Ham performance was clearly down to desire, heart. The team looks devoid of attacking guile compared to the velociraptor levels of aggression we?ve seen from the team in previous seasons. That aggressive pressing terrified teams and forced mistakes that led to goals. That just isn?t there anymore.
Will it get better with time? Yes, I guess so, the quality of the 6 players brought in dictates that, however, the lads need to accept that when they step on the pitch it?s GO TIME and no dawdling.

We are a better squad for sure. Thiaw, absolute class. Ramsey looks superb in patches, a real talent in the making, serious attacking upgrade on Joelinton. Woltemade, great player, delighted to have signed him, I do feel he?s a victim of the tactics not playing to his strengths right now but that will come good. The best is yet to come from Elanga and we?re yet to see Wissa in general.

3. Evolution of playing style
Extra games, more competitions, player?s physical load, fatigue, endurance and injuries.
The high pressing aggressive style is not sustainable. We?re all realistic in that fact however, the transition to a team that controls the ball and dictates the pace and play of the game isn?t something that happens overnight. In my opinion, the team/squad just isn?t there yet. One or two players off the pace and we get a West Ham performance.
The bigger issue is the tactical nous required to do what the top clubs like Real Madrid, Man City & Barcelona exhibit to be able to unlock the defence of a team with 11 parked in the 18-yard box.
I just don?t see it with this current set up.
Bruno has the ability, Sandro does too. However, how many shots from the edge of the area of either had this season? I can?t honestly remember a single shot forcing a save from an opposition keeper.
Elanga is a counter-attacking player who Eddie brought in to develop his game. In a season or two he will no doubt be able to unlock a defence with his pace, trickery and technique. Right now, he?s not that man.
Gordon? No idea what?s going on with that lad. Without going into detail, it?s not good enough. The games he?s brilliant, he goes to the by-line on his left and puts in balls as well as cutting in on his right. West Ham, he cut in every time. This is unacceptable for a player of his quality. I?m getting fed up with it. I don?t know how such a smart lad can be so one dimensional so often.
Woltemade has undoubted skills but the team cohesion will take more time to adapt to his style, much like Elanga this time next year we?ll be on fire, no doubt.
Wissa?s injury huge miss and I can see us playing the aggressive hunting style. The same comment about Gordon can be used for the team in general at their worst. One dimensional.

Evolution is painfully slow, Revolution can be a shock to the system and cause more harm than good. The development needs to be more rapid or they need to go back to a style that gets results. Before long the loses and draws will seriously cost and the prospect of playing Champions League football again next season will be beyond reach.

These critiques are loudly spoken in the absence of Tino & Hall. It?s clear that the system required a lot more width and control of the ball in ?Transition?. Losing both of those two dynamic and rapid fullbacks has really cost the team.

That said, as fans, as manager & as players saying ?we?ll be great when everyone is fit? is just not realistic. It?s rare that ?Everyone is fit?. Getting Wissa, hall & Liveramento back will indeed change things but that can?t be relied upon. Results need to be achieved regardless of who is available.

4. Eddie Howe
The manager looks like a who didn?t get a summer holiday.
He has my full support. Continuity, consistency and longevity are the keys to success football. Sacking managers leads nowhere.
We have all voice our concerns about the inability to break down and beat teams that turn up to sit deep and park the bus. Most of that responsibility lands squarely on the players shoulders. However, picking Joelinton over Ramsey for the West Ham match after Jacob?s solid performance in the cup. Against a team in turmoil who were there for the taking, the manager must show the confidence and ambition to want to take it to the opponent.
The reputation of fear that teams have for NUFC is being slowly erode by these callow and limp performances. That fear was part of the mystique of Eddie Howe?s high-flying Mags!
The tactical evolution the manager is hoping to achieve has been seriously impacted by the injury to, mainly, Wissa. To a lesser extent, Tino, Hall & Ramsey.
That said, Ramsey should be first choice ahead of Joelinton in games where the team will have the lion?s share of possession. Will Eddie?s loyalty to players persist in hampering the team?s progression? It has been a compliant we?ve all discussed in the past and something we had hoped would be less of an issue as the quality in squad depth increases.

5. Off pitch club developments
Latest and last of the clique that force out Amanda & Mehrdad is heading for Ashworth?s horticultural retreat. Pete ?I flog cheap shirts to Koreans? Silverstone on route to avenues new overseas.
I have voiced my opinions over this fella during the past few years of absolutely incompetence on the sponsorship and commercial revenue side.
The man has been a complete dud, more disruptive than productive. Good Riddance. It?s clear that the new CEO David Hopkinson has seen the man for the incompetent he is.
It is important that the replacement is brought in quickly. No doubt big Canadian Dave?s got his eye on a top-quality replacement.
This latest new is cathartic. The rest of the Boardroom upheaval over the summer has been a key reason why Eddie looks so shattered at times.
Eales flattered to deceive. Did nothing in truth. Brought in Mitchell, that was a complete disaster. Let Mitchell leave at the start of the window, Isak disaster, on and on. We?ve talked it to death.
As it stands, Hoppy looks like a solid CEO focused on the business of making the club money, he?ll keep his nose out of the football. As he should. Ross Wilson?s appointment is greatly welcomed, and he seems to share the same ethos as Eddie that team & club before individual and ego. They?re in daily communication and it?s a great start to what we all hope will be a long and successful business relationship.

[Ragatino]

So, there it is, the state of play.

What do I think? How do I feel about the whole thing?

I gotta be honest, the joy, thrills, excitement of the takeover and the first 3 seasons of successful, ambition and surprise has been completely torpedoed. The hyper pogoing lad, buoyed with optimism has been punched in the teeth, knocked to the ground and hand the sh!te well and truly booted out of him.

The summer, the relentless media battering has completely killed any enjoyment of, what used to be the excitement of new transfers. The entire national press machine’s hatred and desire to destroy the club and character assassinate everyone on staff and insult the people of the city, the fans and our culture really has brought me to a point where I genuinely feel despondent.

The departure of the Swede after all that disruption and the subsequent vitriol, the club’s lack of narrative control, poor communication, the Manager being hung out to dry, the fans having shoulder the abuse unprotected, with only the likes of Shearer and few others outnumbered swinging fists to defend us really has soured my enjoyment of the sport I love.

Going on from September 1st. The obvious stated above regarding form and performance was inevitable. The carnage of the summer from boardroom incompetence to Public Relations humiliation has left the mouth with a dungy taste. To say the least.

As the games come thick and fast, I no longer look forward with excitement. It’s not quite the dread of the Ashley era but more a sense of duty, a feeling that it’s going to be disappointing, underwhelming and ultimately uninspiring. Baring the odd exception, the USG game, the 2nd round of the Carabao it has been … Sh!te.

Some great goals by Woltemade. Some encouraging signs from Thiaw, however, I’m just getting old, I guess. Whilst I am usually a very positive about the future of the team, but I’m just bored of it TBH.

We need things to click, Eddie needs a break, the team need and deserve a bit of luck.
The team need to give the fans ‘that feel good’ factor. For all the dedication and commitment, the fans have given the team, it’s time for payback.

[Ragatino]

There is more I'm sure but they've just called my gate.

Hopefully this gets the convo started.

[Jammy89]

Stunningly well put Raga.

[Zippity]

Blimey, there's some thought gone into that, Raga.

Lots to respond to in due course but my initial thoughts are that I'm still fully behind Eddie but I think his tactics away from home are holding us back as an attacking force.

Be interesting to see if the intensity in our press returns once we no longer have the CL to worry about (whenever that is)

[toonviking]

Well put Raga.

Two things are missing for me, our best full backs both sides, and a natural goal scorer that can run in behind.

Getting Wissa and our full backs fit is key.

Woltemade isnt really running in behind, and our wingers dont score enough to make it work 100% with Woltemade, dropping deeper. Thats where Wissa would be handy.

Also, playing Krafth and Burn as full backs is just hopeless. Burn can fill in the odd game, but in general they are no where near good enough going forward.

So how can we play both Wissa and Woltemessi at the same time?

Gordon-Woltemade-Wissa

Ramsey-Tonali-Bruno

Hall-Botman-Thiaw-Tino

OR

‐-------------Wissa---------------

Gordon-Woltemade-Murphy

---------Tonali----Bruno-----------

Hall-Botman-Thiaw-Tino

[toptoon]

All Id say, Raga, is dont let the press spoil your enjoyment of the game or our club. 99% of them are pr*cks so why worry. Just turn off the social media for a while and watch the football - thats what really matters.

[Ragatino]

All Id say, Raga, is dont let the press spoil your enjoyment of the game or our club. 99% of them are pr*cks so why worry. Just turn off the social media for a while and watch the football - thats what really matters.

Yeah man, I don't have social media. No insta, FB & Twitter is purely a business account.

This summer was just everywhere. I also realised that there is no magic anymore. The relentless coverage from Fab 'the shill' Romano and the desperation from the dying legacy media SSNews & TS to stay relevant has gutted any enjoyment of player signings.

Even with the limited amount of attention I pay to it, it really soured my interest.

I guess it's the tone and attitude of the media machine. The mockery of our club, city and people. The levels of disrespect.

Professionals, acting unprofessionally. Also, with it being my industry (broadcasting), to see the supposed elite level organisations putting out content exponentially more unprofessional that many of the fan channel lads knocking it out in their back room.

That angle of it, is what has left the bitter taste in my mouth.

[Ragatino]

Well put Raga.


‐-------------Wissa---------------

Gordon-Woltemade-Murphy

---------Tonali----Bruno-----------

Hall-Botman-Thiaw-Tino

This would make the most sense.

Ramsdale needs to be given a Prem Start too after that howling front post Paqueta goal.

Distribution is poor, Pope's goal keeping was the argument for him to start. We've seen Rambo v Spurs make some excellent saves and his feet are levels above.

[HughieG]

For those who do not have three hours to spend reading, but who thoroughly enjoy Ragatino's inputs on this forum, here's a summary:

Summary of “State of Play”

The writer, a Newcastle United supporter, reflects on the state of the club after a turbulent summer, expressing frustration with both on-pitch struggles and off-pitch chaos.
1. The Transfer Fallout

• Liverpool paid ?146m in total for Newcastle’s striker, which the author calls “the best business of the century.”
  
• The summer transfer saga exposed systemic corruption among agents, media, and officials.
  
• Fans need thicker skin amid media hostility, especially as the ex-player’s move to Liverpool hasn’t produced the expected “invincible” results.

2. Squad vs First Team

• Recruitment has improved the overall squad, but form is inconsistent due to fatigue and fixture congestion.
  
• Newcastle excel in cup competitions but lack attacking sharpness in the league.
  
• New signings like Thiaw, Ramsey, Woltemade, and Elanga show promise but haven’t fully integrated.
  
• Injuries (notably Wissa) and tactical misfits are affecting performances.

3. Playing Style Evolution

• The high-pressing, aggressive style isn’t sustainable with the current physical demands.
  
• The transition toward a more possession-based, controlling game is slow and uneven.
  
• Creativity issues persist — few shots from midfield, overreliance on counterattacks, and predictable attacking patterns.
  
• Players like Gordon and Elanga are criticized for one-dimensional play.
  
• Injuries to fullbacks Tino and Hall have limited width and dynamism.
  
• The author warns that results must come soon, or Champions League qualification will slip away.

4. Eddie Howe

• The manager looks exhausted but retains the writer’s full backing.
  
• Tactical evolution is hampered by injuries and possibly Howe’s loyalty to certain players (e.g., Joelinton over Ramsey).
  
• Howe’s past intensity and mystique are fading; the team must rediscover its “fear factor.”

5. Off-Pitch Turmoil

• Departures of ineffective executives (like Silverstone and Eales) are welcomed.
  
• The new CEO, David Hopkinson, and Ross Wilson are praised for competence and alignment with Howe.
  
• Boardroom instability over the summer has drained morale and focus.

Overall Mood

• The joy of the post-takeover era has evaporated after media attacks, internal chaos, and poor communication.
  
• The writer feels disillusioned — not quite back to the despair of the Mike Ashley years, but close.
  
• Despite glimpses of quality, the excitement is gone; following the club now feels more like an obligation than a passion.
  
• Hopes remain that luck, form, and spirit will return — and that the team repays fans with renewed energy and pride.

---

Tone: Disillusioned but loyal — a passionate fan frustrated by decline, media hostility, and fatigue, yet still hoping for a turnaround.