2026/2027 - what kind of season will it be?

[HughieG]

The way I see it, we are in a turbulent phase of our "new" ownership with this season being the most frustrating during the new era so far.

We have a decent foundation, but the squad is lacking serious investment in order for us to compete at the very top of the Premier League and in the Champions League. I don't suspect we will be doing either next season.

So that begs the question; how do we approach next season? In my ideal world, we hang onto Eddie, invest thoroughly and heavily in the squad and aim for Top 4 and the FA Cup. BUT we also need to demand more consistency from the team, otherwise I think there should be consequences.

However, my way isn't necessarily the likely way. How do you think the owners and the administration will approach the new season? Will Eddie still be at the helm?

[Zippity]

I think you're spot on about nextt season's aims, Hughie.

Eddie's strength is time on the training pitch-and he'll get plenty of that next season (although he needs to learn to cope with midweek European games if he's going to move us forward).

How well we do next season depends on what sort of Summer we have. I'd like to see massive changes...and we need massive changes otherewise nothing will change.

[Ragatino]

how do we approach next season? In my ideal world, we hang onto Eddie, invest thoroughly and heavily in the squad and aim for Top 4 and the FA Cup. BUT we also need to demand more consistency from the team, otherwise I think there should be consequences.

My ten bobs worth.

Eddie will stay and be backed in the summer.

The squad is one of the oldest in the Prem. The 'project' was to reduce the overall age of the squad since day 1.
Financial restrictions have meant that this process has been a long drawn out one.
The plan was always to invest as much as possible each transfer window on getting the best players possible.

Last summer we lived through a sh!tshow where the CEO was more than useless, the DoF decided to leave days before the window opened & the manager had suffered Pneumonia. Add the Rat's departure to that and it explains this season.

The wage spend directly affects results on the pitch. Clubs that finish at the top and win the league spend the most on wages. That is been the case since day 1 of the Prem when Man U figured that one out.

As a reference NUFC last season have the 8th largest wage spend. So every season since EH took over he has overachieved with the players at his disposal.

Taking the emotion and this seasons results out of it, finishing 7th or better is, once again, an overachievement.

It's not what we as fans want or expected after the Cup win & UCL qualification last season. I doubt it's what the owners in Riyadh wanted either.

However, the owners, Chairman, board of directors are responsible for the incompetence of the CEO, sick for 10months and not replaced.

They are also responsible for the mess in the regard summer recruitment. Who approves the resignation of the DoF days before the window opens and doesn't have even a short term consultant lined up to replace him to assist your manager, who you know full well just spent weeks in the intensive care unit of the RVI with F**king Pneumonia?

Eddie will stay, Ross Wilson will work over the summer to secure the top targets required to bolster the team and bring in the fresh legs required.

CMF from Monaco Lamine Camara is a serious target. 22
AMF/RW from Palmeiras Allan is apparently in negotiations. 21
DMF (Right) from Bremen Abdoul Coulibaly has been scouted repeatedly. 18

There are the profile of players that NUFC have to target. The likes of Ekitike & other Prem talent don't make sense nor offer value for money.

Champions League football regardless of the continental opponent is extremely difficult to balance with the physical nature of the Premier League grind.

Spurs & Chelsea both got thrashed in Europe too and these are clubs who 2x to 3x our wages and generate 3x+ the revenue.

Every single club in the Premier League spends big on players, they all advance every year. The head start of the Cartel is what keeps their heads just above the water line. However, as we've see recently with the Lilly white cowards of North London that delusion and recent reputation don't win you football matches.

The Red Filth last year were so bad they are not in any European competition this season and have only recently managed to find a bit fo form which should see them not embarrass themselves again.

As a manager Eddie Howe has been brilliant. The only reason that people are angry at the the current season is because Eddie has raised the standards of the club & the fans expectations from hopeless to demanding.

The man deserves a proper fully supported and successful summer transfer window & uninterrupted Pre-season to work with his squad ahead of next season.

Regardless of if NUFC are in Europe or not next season the man deserves that. With the additions signed early and the squad drilled before the season kicks off it's then squarely on the managers shoulders.

We will see the direction of travel next season. We will learn if Howe can adapt playing styles and be versatile enough fulfill the potential he has to become a consistent winning manager.

I genuinely hope he can, I want him to lead the club to great things. However, if next season is another dud, when he's had all the support and recruitment required then changes will have to be made.

If that is the case, I would only want the club to sign Nagelsmann.

Mourinho I love and respect but managers of his Ilk are chequebook managers. They need to buy ready made, NUFC is not there yet.

I would also love Mourinho or Rafa as a board member to oversea the football side of things work with Ross Wilson and DoF / recruitment to heighten the profile of the club.

[HughieG]

Thanks for your inputs, I agree with you both.

The most concerning thing for me is that the scouting and recruitment has been messy lately; it's like we've been unprepared. There are so many bargains to be made around Europe that it should be possible to build a robust side for the coming season without overspending.

[Ragatino]

Thanks for your inputs, I agree with you both.

The most concerning thing for me is that the scouting and recruitment has been messy lately; it's like we've been unprepared. There are so many bargains to be made around Europe that it should be possible to build a robust side for the coming season without overspending.

I understand what you're saying but I think it's not a case of not being prepared.

Mitchell bailed yes. That was a disaster, a man with a rep for having an outstanding networks, all the contacts and getting deals done.

However, last summer, the targets were identified and work was done early to secure the targets.

Delay, Joao Pedro, MBummo, Ekitike were aggressively perused early on. As we know the issue wasn't scouting it was signing the players identified.

Were players identified realistic? Yes

The issue was that clubs offered double salary NUFC can afford.

Going down the list of targets was where it falls down. Mitchell offered nothing.

Before he became the manager Eddie had spent time across Europe, identified Ekitike, Sandro, Bruno, Sven etc etc that he wanted to bring in.

These targets, when cross referenced with our head of Recruitment Steve Nickson, clearly these players were on his top recommendation list too.

As I've mentioned on other posts. Eddie's focus has been solely on the team and matches.

The break down has been in closing deals and identified player targets through the door.

The club must improve on delivering the top targets identified.

I believe that is where the problems lie.

[MidsMagpie]

Another bang average one if Howe stays and keeps the likes of Pope Burn Murphy Schar and Trippier thanks for the great service over the years but its time to move on all shipped out and a fresh start some new quality replacements and a new formation to get the best out of certain players, but alas i fear none of that will happen and it will be as you were again next season.

[HughieG]

Were players identified realistic? Yes

The issue was that clubs offered double salary NUFC can afford.

Which was a predictable outcome, I would say, Raga.

Hence the need to be looking at sub-top European league talents, as well as the Ligue 1, Bundesliga and the Serie A - which we have done with some success previously. There's bundles of talent to be found for half the price of what we would have paid. Sure, we also need to be going af the elite, big players - players that are on the cusp of greatness, like Ekitike was and is - but I think it was wrong not be seriously exploring other European transfer avenues than going after massively overpriced players. Obviously those signings are more of a gamble, but so was Elanga and we could have had brought three talented wingers in instead of him.

The situation with Isak would have been hard to handle regardless, but we should have been more proactive in the window - we must be more proactive and in control of events in the coming transfer window if we want to build a serious squad.

[Ragatino]

Which was a predictable outcome, I would say, Raga.

Hence the need to be looking at sub-top European league talents, as well as the Ligue 1, Bundesliga and the Serie A - which we have done with some success previously. There's bundles of talent to be found for half the price of what we would have paid. Sure, we also need to be going af the elite, big players - players that are on the cusp of greatness, like Ekitike was and is - but I think it was wrong not be seriously exploring other European transfer avenues than going after massively overpriced players. Obviously those signings are more of a gamble, but so was Elanga and we could have had brought three talented wingers in instead of him.
.

Without a DoF or a CEO getting a makeshift team of none specialists to try and do deals when the Cartel's full entourage rock up and start pointing out the fact that they are... in Sesko's case "We are Man United, we're here, DoF with Euro Creds and a full team. Newcastle United are sat in the hotel down the road, the stats guy and a member of the board. Where is there plan? Not credible."

Last summer the club just looked amateur.

I dunno if Elanga was a 'gamble' the lad laid on 20 assists whilst at Forest. If anything, it was a low risk signing. Same with Wissa, 19 no pen Premier League goals.

The club could have gone and got Akliouche from Monaco & gambled on a lad from the continent.

Again I go back to the fact that the structure above Howe has been a sh"t show. Ashworth, Mitchell, Amanda being pushed out by Eales and his cliche. It's been destabilised through out.

The Whole Isak contract transfer situation is one of the biggest sorest wounds from that lack of professionalism at the top level.

Everything flows down from the top.

Stability is key. City as the perfect example of a stable professional club. Txiki leave Vianna is brought in 6 months in advance to work along side Txiki to ensure stability. They Sign Guehi & Semenyo after an excellent summer of business.

Over the other side of the city the once great Red Filth are a basket case of instability. The revolving door in the C-Suite and dugout minimised by them over paying outrageously on wages for players that would struggle to make the bench for the Citizens.

Newcastle United are still growing into those levels.

A phrase I've been using for a few years now is 'Growing pains'. Newcastle United are certainly experiencing growing pains.

[HughieG]

Fair point about Elanga and Wissa. I was happy with those signings too, initially. In my mind spending that kind of money on players who have had one (very) good season will always be a gamble, but one could say that about a lot of players - ones that end up being great signings, too.

I agree with you, Raga, on the "mess up above"-part. It's a good explanation. We should have a great scouting network set up; a long list of players who could come in and do a job for us. Continental, non-continental, expensives, bargains etc. I hope we have that in place for the summer.

[Ragatino]

Fair point about Elanga and Wissa. I was happy with those signings too, initially. In my mind spending that kind of money on players who have had one (very) good season will always be a gamble, but one could say that about a lot of players - ones that end up being great signings, too.

I agree with you, Raga, on the "mess up above"-part. It's a good explanation. We should have a great scouting network set up; a long list of players who could come in and do a job for us. Continental, non-continental, expensives, bargains etc. I hope we have that in place for the summer.

The Geordie Journos, Downie, Hope et al of the North East Press Pack have confirmed that there are lists on lists of player targets. It depends on which are attainable. No doubt that will revolve around where the team finish in the league & which European competition the team compete in next season.

If the team miss out on Europe completely no doubt there will be an impact on the players targeted.

I have posted about 20+ players here personally. That's from a guy sat at airports.

No doubt the professionals have far more extensive lists.

The lists are great but what needs to happen is those targets turn into signings. That's the most important thing.