The Mag
·25. Dezember 2024
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·25. Dezember 2024
An ideal time in the heart of the festive season to get a snapshot of views from Newcastle United fans on how they think things are going.
So we sent out various questions to a small number of regular/irregular contributors to The Mag.
Asking these Newcastle United fans some of the important questions of the day.
As well as some with a seasonal twist.
Here we have Greg McPeake and his teenage son Chuks McPeake giving their answers:
What would be a perfect Newcastle United Christmas present to unwrap?
Greg:
Season tickets. The guarantee of getting into the games would take away all the anxiety, but having said that, I would gladly take just getting my kids into the games without me.
Chuks
Botman starting.
In 2024, what have been your three best Newcastle United moments?
Greg:
Just getting tickets and the chance to get in. So, any three games I have managed to have had the privilege of seeing live.
Chuks:
Can’t remember, nothing really happened.
In 2024 what have been your three worst Newcastle United moments?
Greg:
Trippier’s penalty miss right in front of me and the loss at Chelsea in the League Cup. Man U beating Man City in the FA Cup and denying us Europe. Every time I apply in the ballot and get that email saying not this time.
Chuks:
Man U winning the cup and denying us Europe.
Once we get Christmas out of the way, the Newcastle United hierarchy have promised an update early in the New Year, regarding what their plans are for delivering a significantly bigger/better stadium. What do you hope they say? (Not just whether staying at SJP or new site but also capacity, timescale, progress they might have made on the quiet regarding their plans, whatever)
Greg:
I genuinely have no idea and would not be surprised at whatever is announced. The lack of transparency is the big negative of the new regime in my book.
Chuks:
Not quite sure what the question means but I would love us to stay at an expanded St James’ Park because it is iconic.
The 2025/26 season will be the tenth since Newcastle United last had a Premier League derby match. Have you any seasonal black and white goodwill for our Mackem friends finally making it back to the top tier, from what looks the most appalling quality second tier for many years. Or even just because the amusing FA Cup stroll on Wearside last season whetted your appetite for the return of the derbies?
Greg:
No, my mates up in Newcastle all want the derby back ASAP, but not for me. Sunderland are irrelevant.
Chuks:
Yes, would love to have the Derby games back and seeing them get battered would be fun
If you could guarantee five NUFC players to be fit for the rest of the season (including all those currently unavailable), who would you choose and in what order?
Greg:
Isak, Botman, Tonali, Gordon, Schar
Chuks:
Bruno, Isak, Gordon, Hall, Livramento
If you could invite three current Newcastle United players to yours for a social gathering at Christmas, who would you invite and why?
Greg:
Anthony Gordan, so he can share his fashion sense with my son. Jacob Murphy as he is a Geordie and obviously has a sense of humour. Sandro Tonali, so he can pay Murphy back and knock up some top Italian food.
Chuks:
The three blondes – Osula, Bruno and Joelinton.
A knock on your door on Christmas Day, your place beautifully Xmas decorated, roaring fire, table laden with more food and drink than anybody could eat and drink. You open the door and freezing cold, snow bleaching down, which three cold and starving Newcastle United connected characters (past or present) would you still turn away?
Greg:
Ashley and any other two associated with that despicable human. The season of goodwill ends there.
Chuks:
Wijnaldum for deserting us and Steve Bruce (He counts as two people).
Assuming you don’t think that position has been reached already… what would it take for you to think Newcastle United needed to consider replacing Eddie Howe?
Greg:
A loss of form and results tying in with the classic losing the dressing room.
If he loses to any of the bottom three and/or we get humiliated.
If you were granted three New Year’s wishes (apart from the obvious of winning something!) to come true in 2025…
Greg:
New Stadium announced. A section dedicated to youngsters. Champions League qualification.
Chuks:
No injuries. Champions League football. Spending the cash.
Your New Year’s resolution that is Newcastle United related…?
Greg:
Keep my cool when we watch Newcastle play Notts Forest in Feburary and not to gloat when I am watching the game with my Forest mates.
Chuks
Pray we win something.
Win the FA Cup or League Cup sometime in the next five years AND finish between 8th and 10th in each of these five seasons, or win nothing AND finish between 2nd and 4th in every one of these five seasons?
Greg:
Silverware all day.
Chuks:
Win nothing but be in Champions League. It’s all about money.
What are your worst ever past Newcastle United Christmas time moments / memories. Could be any kind of memories – matches, presents, whatever?
Greg:
I think that anecdote I told recently about paying into the Shed. Genuinely thought it would all kick off (and I would be spending New Year in St Thomas’) when we were in that Chelsea Boozer with all those Chelsea skinheads. And we got beat!
Chuks:
Can’t remember last Christmas.
Obviously it takes a ‘little’ bit of imagination but if there was a scenario where on the last day of a Premier League season… a Sunderland victory (against whoever) would mean Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League instead of Europa League BUT also meant the Mackems won the Premier League. What would you want to happen?
Greg:
See answer above. The Mackems will never win the Prem.
Chuks:
You must be mental if you think I would want the Mackems to win anything (Fifty pence in the swear box).
In your lifetime, the five people associated with Newcastle United (anybody, on or of the pitch, inside or outside the club) who you would like to say thank you to and why?
Just the one, Supermac, a sight to behold from the East Stand Paddock.