This is the biggest issue holding Newcastle United back | OneFootball

We wanted to get a snapshot of how Newcastle United fans are thinking.

Three months into the season and 17 matches played so far across three competitions.

Now in the November international break and Newcastle United fans seeing their team win eight games, draw three, lose six.

Those results summing up a start to the season with plenty of ups and downs.

Plenty to talk about as we ask a number of Newcastle United fans, who are regular/irregular contributors to The Mag, to give us their views on the season so far, plus what will happen as we move forward.

Next up is GToon answering the questions.

Three words to describe how you currently feel as a Newcastle fan?

Hopeful, resigned, angry

Three words to describe Newcastle United now?

Underperforming, tired, aimless

Alexander Isak – Time to forgive and forget…? 

I was genuinely amazed at his attitude towards us and his longing for a move to that club.

I really don’t think he understands he played with 10 other players and the team was set up to create chances for him. He’s a very good player but he isn’t particularly strong or injury free and I don’t think he’ll fulfil his particular dreams at that club.

Ekitike is by far the better player and every time I watch him I just wish we’d sold Isak sooner and bought him instead.

If you had to choose. A win against Sunderland but lose to Fulham in Carabao Cup quarter-final, or lose to Sunderland and go through to Carabao Cup semi-finals?

Beat them. We’ll beat Fulham too. Playing that lot are our biggest games this season. We must win.

Would winning the Carabao Cup again this season BUT finishing outside the Premier League top six, be success or failure?

All things considered I think that would be fine.

The top six is just about money.

The most important thing for us is a bigger ground.

Everything else will fall into place once that happens. Once the revenue starts flowing we will be able to compete regardless of league position- just like manyoo.

Hand on heart, what is your best estimate (not hope!) of where Newcastle United will end up this season in the Premier League, the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, how well they will realistically do in each of them?

EPL – I expect a decent run once that Wissa sorts himself out. I’d say 6th.

Champions league- last 8 and then knocked out controversially.

FA Cup – knocked out in 3rd round.

League Cup – winners !!! Yeah, I reckon we’ll win it again.

In order, which six NUFC players have been the most impressive so far this 2025/26 season?

Woltemade – absolute class from big Nick. He’s proved to be a real top class player. He’s gonna be a star for us. Thiaw – a real football playing defender, just like Schar Bruno, Bruno, Bruno! Leader, captain, loony! Burn – gives everything no matter what is asked of him. What a header !! Tonali – even when he’s poorly he’s still amazing. The best player we have. Murphy- the supply line

In order, by the end of the 2025/26 season, which six NUFC players do you think will have proved the top performers?

Woltemade, Tonali, Hall, Thiaw, Ramsdale, Bruno

Eight months ago, Eddie Howe banked the first trophy for Newcastle in 56 years, then two months later secured a second Champions League qualification in three years. Some Newcastle fans appear to be questioning his position now. What are your thoughts on Eddie Howe and how much more time has he earned to get the league position sorted and beyond that, or not?

Over the past few seasons I have been critical of Eddie and have posed questions about if he can adapt, if he can learn and improve. The tactical change that brought us the League Cup was a masterpiece. It answered every question. He totally outthought the league champions elect.

Once again Eddie has been given a difficult start to the season due to things out of his control. I back him to do well this season but I’d just like him to be a bit more ruthless with underperforming players now and again.

What do you think about how the summer transfer window was conducted by Newcastle United?

It went from awful to desperate to ok. TBH the jury is still out as we haven’t seen Wissa play yet and that needs to happen ASAP!

Thiaw and Big Nick have really impressed. Ramsey and Ramsdale need a chance and Elanga needs to relax a bit. I’d love to see Elanga get paired up with Nick a bit like Shearer and Bellamy. Be nice to see us ditch the 433 now and again tbh.

How much do you think Newcastle United having no CEO or Sporting Director contributed to the fact NUFC signed only one player (Elanga) who had a proper pre-season?

It was a huge impact. Eddie can’t do everything. We needed these positions to be filled to function properly in the modern game. Cloughie wanted to do it all but I don’t think Eddie does. He’s a coach and manger, not a board member.

In the future after they have all finished their Newcastle United careers, what is your guesstimate on how the six summer signings will each be assessed. In each case – Thiaw, Ramsdale, Ramsey, Woltemade, Elanga and Wissa to be seen as one of these three choices – A success, Done OK, Failure.

I think each one will be a success. They are all very good players and will get their chance at some point. I hope Ramsdale gets a run of games and hopefully Wissa doesn’t go to the AFCON. Is that why Eddie says he needs a pre-season? Maybe it’s to suggest he won’t be ready to go.

What do you see as three positive things for Newcastle United so far this season?

Woltemade is a huge positive and so is Thiaw. The cup games have been very positive, with some dominating performances. The support from Wor Flags has been great too.

What do you see as three negative things for Newcastle United so far this season?

Playing BDB at left back and leaving him on when he’s struggling. Pope insisting on punching the ball when he could catch it. Playing players who aren’t 100% fit.

What would represent success in the 2025/26 season for Newcastle United?

A cup final win and a performance in the league that equals the sum of the parts. And beating the SMBs twice and liVARpool away.

What do you see as the minimum to achieve this coming season?

A top six finish but mainly for performances to match the squad we now have. I don’t expect us to win every game but I certainly expect better results and performances against the “other 14”.

Predict the top six in the Premier League (in order) and which three clubs will be relegated.

Man Citeh 115 Arsenal interest free shareholder loan Chelsea corruption LiVARpool added time Manyoo sack the tea lady Newcastle

With NUFC now having won a trophy…has that changed your priorities at all with the club now balancing getting Champions League football on a regular basis, compared to try and win cups?

Winning something was simply amazing.

The league and champions league are just about money but seeing us win one, standing with my son as the bus went past with the trophy, was simply incredible.

Next three seasons, would you rather finish top four all three seasons BUT win nothing, or finish mid-table all three seasons AND win the FA Cup in one of the three?

Finish top four as that would imply we’d played well in the league and been good to watch, which we aren’t this season. We’ve been mid-table or worse for years. Let’s see a change.

What are your thoughts on the fact that we are now more than four years after the takeover and still no plans announced on a new training ground, nor a far bigger capacity stadium (either brand new one, or an increased capacity St James’ Park)?

This is the biggest issue holding Newcastle United back.

The new ground of 75/80k would be a life changing moment for the club and for all of us. I might be able to go again! I can’t understand the lack of progress off the pitch.

If Newcastle United were to look to the transfer market to strengthen the team/squad in January, what do you see as the priority (or priorities…)?

Start from the back. Buy a top class keeper or invest in Ramsdale, as he could be that player. Make a decision on mad man Osula. Either sell him and buy a new emerging talent, or give him a proper chance. A goal scoring midfielder would be decent too, a creative number 10 or give Barnes a chance there.

Would you say winning the Carabao Cup last season has made you more content, or now more desperate to get the next one?

I think it filled a bucket list number but I’d love to see us become serial winners like other clubs.

There’s no reason why not. I know it’s what Eddie wants too. If he stays for another 10 years we could do that.